With rainbow flags waving and voices chanting, the West Hartford community came together at Unity Green to raise the Pride flag and kick off a month of unity, joy, and activism for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Pride flag flies over Unity Green in West Hartford Center. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Mia Jaworski. Photos by Ronni Newton

June, Pride Month, was officially welcomed in West Hartford as the community gathered at Unity Green to raise the Pride Flag in a spirited display of unity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

At 5:30 p.m. on June 2, with rainbow flags waving and chants of “Stand our Ground” reverberating above the intersection of Farmington Avenue and South Main Street, the ceremony kicked off a month of celebrations, advocacy, and pride.

The event, attended by about 50 people – families, town officials, and allies – marked the beginning of Pride Month, underscoring West Hartford’s continued commitment to equality. Children in rainbow-colored attire, assisted in raising the flag, marking the beginning of the month’s festivities.

Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“We stand our ground for all people, regardless of age, gender identity, race, or sexual orientation, to have the right to be treated based on the intrinsic value as human beings,” Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd said in his remarks, reaffirming the town’s stance on inclusion and equal rights and reading a proclamation.

Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd reads a proclamation at the Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Barry Walters, co-chair of West Hartford Pride, echoed a call for peaceful resistance. Referencing Star Wars, Walters stated, “Rebellions are built on hope,” urging the crowd to continue fighting for joy and equality without resorting to violence. “Rebellion can take many forms … but violence is not the answer,” he said.

He went on to emphasize the power of living joyfully: “We struggle and we fight for our joy, and unreserved and unapologetic joy that springs from our ability to live as we are. It’s joy worth fighting for, and it’s this joy that links all of our struggles together.”

The ceremony also featured a performance by Miss Bonnie Petit, who sang “Feeling Good” while wearing a bronze romper and red stilettos.

Miss Bonnie Petit performs at the Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong also spoke, highlighting the state’s leadership on LGBTQ+ rights while addressing concerns over recent political challenges faced by the community. 

“Pride month should be a month of joy and celebration, look at how far we have come,” said Tong.

Connecticut was one of the pioneering states to enact comprehensive transgender rights and nondiscrimination laws, which remain in effect today.

Attorney General William Tong speaks at Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Tong expressed concern for those in states where LGBTQ+ rights face increasing attacks, especially restrictions on gender-affirming care. “As your attorney general, we’re very focused on it. We couldn’t care about it more,” he said. “In this war, we are winning, and we are going to win this war, because this fight, this battle, this attack on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – I translate that as an attack on all of us.”

He closed with a strong message: “History is moving on. Diversity, equity, and inclusion, and belonging isn’t a value. It’s not an opinion. It’s not a policy. It’s a fact.”

Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

As the Pride flag was raised high, the crowd erupted in applause, officially marking the start of a month-long celebration filled with events and activism.

The flag-raising ceremony marked just the beginning of the celebrations. Here are some events to look forward to throughout June:

• June 4: Noah Webster Library hosts the Connecticut Museum of LGBTQ+ History exhibit, open throughout the month.
• June 5: New Park Brewing hosts a Pride kick-off party.
• June 12: Tracy’s Pride Ride, a 9.5-mile route named after Dr. Tracy Wilson.
• June 20: Showcase of Baroness for Pride Night at Playhouse on Park.
• June 21: #StandOurGround Pride Rally at West Hartford City Hall, followed by the Pride Festival.
• June 24: Queer Community in Religious Spaces Panel with clergy discussing religion and LGBTQ+ experiences.

Pride Co-Chair Barry Walters shares some remarks. Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Pride Co-Chairs Johanna Schubert and Barry Walters. Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

From left: Dawn Ennis, Barry Walters, William Tong, Johanna Schubert, Adrienne Billings-Smith, Beth Bye, Ryan Young. Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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