Somerville’s annual Pride flag-raising ceremony took place on Thursday, June 4, at the City Hall Concourse. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Sean Perry

Somerville celebrated the start of Pride Month last Thursday with the annual Pride flag-raising ceremony. Mayor Wilson, Somerville students, and Somerville’s LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator, Izzy Starr, spoke to the city’s LGBTQ+ community, sharing messages of hope and resilience outside of City Hall.

Mayor Wilson spoke on the ongoing oppression faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community. “GLADD described last year as the most dangerous on record for the LGBTQIA+ community. This year alone, the ACLU is already tracking 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the country. Nearly 50 anti-trans bills have already passed,” he explained. “That kind of hostility has a weight that settles.”

“How can we look at what’s happening across this country and decide this fight has somehow become too complicated, too uncomfortable, or too politically inconvenient to engage in? How dare we say this is too hard right here in front of us as a community without the luxury of easy struggles?” Wilson said.

~Photo by Sean Perry

He went on to explain the power of government in relation to fighting the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community. “That kind of strength deserves institutions willing to stand by you when things get difficult. It deserves government willing to do more than issue statements once a year and then disappear when it gets uncomfortable,” he explained. “And as mayor, I think that responsibility is serious.”

Students from Somerville schools also spoke about the importance of Pride and supporting LGBTQ+ individuals.

“People should not be discriminated against or pressured just because of who they are or who they love. Everybody should feel safe and welcome to be who they are and love who they love,” said Lola, a Somerville student.

Starr mirrored Mayor Wilson’s sentiments regarding the government’s role in queer advocacy. “We want you to know that we know how bad it gets. While we can’t single-handedly fix the federal government, we are dedicated to making the city of Somerville safer and more resourced,” they explained.

“As the mayor said, it is necessary for people in positions of power to step up and shoulder the burden of the LGBTQIA+ community,” they declared.

Starr reflected on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in America, explaining that “While our community has had many traumas and losses, we have also dreamed and collaborated and fought for our rights.

“We are all here together. And it’s imperative that we keep showing up with and for each other,” they said.

Starr ended their speech on a hopeful note, reminding listeners to keep reaching out to the city.   “Please share your ideas with LGBTQ+ Services, with the mayor’s office, with your teachers, and with your city officials. Your voices deserve to be heard, so please reach out. Your advocacy is a future part of what makes Somerville such an amazing place,” they said.

One by one, Somerville students took turns raising the flag, bringing the ceremony to a close, and Pride Month to a triumphant start.