Conn. (WTNH) — The State of Connecticut recognized the start of Pride Month June 1. Gay Pride flags were raised across the state.
On Monday, June 8, the Rainbow flag was raised outside New Britain City Hall.
Lieutenant Governor Suzan Bysiewicz was there for the ceremony and said, “We are a proud state, and we welcome everyone to our beautiful state of Connecticut. And we are proud to be a leader; in 2008 we were the second state to recognize marriage equality.”
On Monday, June 1, on the New Haven Green the mayor spoke to the significance of the celebration.
Pride is a celebration of life but it also commemorates that human rights and dignity and equal treatment before the law often times has to be fought for.
– Mayor Justin Elicker/New Haven (D)
The rainbow flag was also raised above the Hartford capitol building for the second year to commemorate Pride Month.
June is recognized internationally as Pride Month to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Police raided the Stonewall Inn – a bar and known safe-space for the LGBTQ community in New York City. This sparked several days of riots.
Now, many people consider the event a turning point in the gay rights movement in America.
