Mayor Katjana Ballantyne speaking at the Somerville Pride Flag Raising. — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

By Mina Rose Morales

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne raised the Pride Flag for the first time as mayor on Wednesday, June 1, at the City Hall Concourse. The mayor spoke about LGBTQ progress in Somerville. She reflected on how Somerville supports gender and sexuality alliance clubs in schools to create safe inclusive spaces. She also plans on expanding new existing programs and piloting new community-based initiatives. She plans on funding a full-time LGBQ coordinator for the city.

“Oh, you know you want people to feel valued, you want residents to feel safe, and that their community supports them,” the mayor said when asked about the Somerville LGBTQ community.

After a brief pause. “Raising the Pride flag does that,” added Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

Despite the progress in Somerville, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne acknowledged more work needs to be done and the legislative attacks on LGBTQ individuals nationwide.

City Councilor At-Large Willie Burnley, Jr. in the Somerville City Hall after the Pride flag raising event.

After the mayor finished her speech, host Jack Treanor introduced two K-8 teachers, Jenna DiNovis and Kara Dodd. Both teachers are residents of Somerville. They spoke about how kids in the LGBTQ community are disproportionately affected by mental health.

“Fifty percent of gender queer students in Somerville reported that they thought about suicide while 25% attempted it,” said DiNovis and Dodd.

Host Jack Treanor, who is the LGBTQ liaison for the city, mentioned in a private interview that LGBTQ kids are still bullied in schools. “People have to remember that homophobia and transphobia are still very present in Somerville. We cannot stop fighting against it,” said Treanor.

Treanor’s position as the LGBTQ liaison for the city is currently part time. His position is one of the tasks Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is working to make a full-time position.

Willie Burnley, Jr., a City Councilor At-Large for Somerville who is also queer, hopes Treanor’s position becomes full time too. Burnley is one of three city councilors who is openly queer. “If we want to help the queer community, then we need to invest our money,” said Burnley Jr.

The Pride flag risen at the end of the Pride flag raising ceremony.