The Town of Amherst will raise the rainbow flag on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 8:30am. The flag is being raised on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots or uprising, often cited as the beginning of the gay liberation movement. The Amherst Town Council recently passed a resolution for PRIDE month, observed in June.
The raising of the rainbow flag is part of the town’s celebration of LGBTQ pride and a symbol of its commitment to be a welcoming community to all LGBTQ individuals and families this month, and every month. The original rainbow pride flag dates to 1978, when it was created by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker.
The community is invited to attend the flag raising outside of Town Hall at 8:30 am on Friday, June 28th. We will be joined by members of the Amherst Town Council, State Representative Mindy Domb and other officials. Town Council President Lynn Griesemer will read the Pride Month Proclamation from the steps of Amherst Town Hall.
Amherst Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month Proclamation
Whereas, Amherst is a community that values diversity and inclusion, and is committed to equal rights and opportunities for all its residents, and
Whereas, Amherst recognizes the important contributions of its LGBTQ residents to the Town’s history, culture, economy, and civic life, and
Whereas, we celebrate the accomplishments of the LGBTQ community towards securing important rights and freedoms, often through struggle and adversity, and
Whereas, we remain vigilant against continued oppression and discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and against any new political efforts to overturn these accomplishments, and
Whereas, we affirm our support for our LGBTQ residents and stand with them to protect their civil rights and ability to live openly without fear.
Now, therefore, we the Town Council of the Town of Amherst, do hereby proclaim June 2019 as LGBTQ Pride Month.
Voted this third day of June 2019 by the Amherst Town Council.