City of Somerville marks Pride Week with the 13^th raising of the flag

A crowd twice the size of last year’s joined the Somerville High School Gay/Straight Alliance and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone on Tuesday for the raising of the Pride flag at Somerville High School. The annual event, which raises the Pride flag in full view of both City Hall and the High School, is a declaration that the City of Somerville is an open, welcoming and affirming city for the LGBT community.

This year’s event marked the 13^th year that the Pride flag has been raised in Somerville. The tradition began under Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay with support of the City’s Human Rights and Women’s Commissions, OutSomerville and the Project 10 East LGBT youth group, who together first raised the Pride flag over Davis Square Plaza in 2000.

In 2005, Mayor Curtatone moved the ceremony to the City Hall Concourse, sending a clear message that all are welcome in Somerville and that City Hall stands with the LGBT community, from students through senior citizens.

On Tuesday, Mayor Curtatone joined the Gay/Straight Alliance in again proudly raising the flag over the city as the City reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

“The importance of this kind of symbolic gesture cannot be underestimated. It’s affirming and comforting to see this kind of very public support for the LGBT community,” said City of Somerville LGBT liaison Elizabeth Field. “Somerville really should be proud that it is such an extraordinarily welcoming City that doesn’t just tolerate but rather celebrates diversity.”

Also speaking at the ceremony were State Representatives Carl Sciortino and Denise Provost, State Senator Pat Jehlen, Ward 5 Alderman Courtney O’Keefe, Ward 3 School Committeeman Adam Sweeting, SHS teacher and Gay/Straight Alliance Advisor Julia Post, SHS Headmaster John Oteri and the City’s LGBT Liaison Elizabeth Field.