Fairfield Raises Rainbow Flag To Celebrate Pride Month

FAIRFIELD, CT — For the third year in a row, the town of Fairfield officially showed its support for Pride Month by raising a rainbow flag at the Town Hall Green.

Elected officials and more than 50 residents — many waving mini flags — took part in a ceremony that coincided with the anniversary later in the week of the Stonewall Riot in New York City — a milestone in the struggle for equal rights.

“We should care,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal told the crowd Monday just before leaving for Washington, D.C., he said, to hopefully vote on the S-1 voting reform bill.

“We should be involved,” he said. “We should be activists and leaders.”

Blumenthal also mentioned the Equality Act, which is under consideration in the U.S. Senate, describing it as a law designed to protect the rights of everyone in the country, including the LGBTQ community.

Monday’s event featured speeches by three local high school students, who shared about their personal experiences coming out to friends and family, as well as navigating a world where all too often they’re forced to be outsiders.

Organizer John Brannelly, an openly gay town official, commended the students for their forthright talks, noting each of the three high schools in town has an active LGBTQ organization.

Brannelly said, however, that not every young person struggling with these issues is able to find the support they need in their community — or even at home — with high levels of homelessness and sexual abuse suffered by the LGBTQ population throughout the country.

Ashby Dodge, a local therapist and director of operations for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, spoke about the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among LGBTQ teenagers.

“Why should we care?” she asked rhetorically. “We should care because these are our children. These are our friends. These are our family members. We must care.”

Often asked by people what one individual can do to make a difference, Dodge said the presence of just one supportive adult in the life of an LGBTQ teen reduces their chance of death by suicide by 30 percent.

Along with political leaders, there were also many parents and family members of LGBTQ people there to show their support.

“Doing the flag is a wonderful symbol of our collective humanity,” said Kristen Nimr, of Southport, who is both the daughter and mother of gay individuals.

“I don’t see labels,” she said. “I just see love.”

Luna Ambrosi, a 9-year-old Fairfield resident, offered a direct observation.

“I’m just hoping everyone gets to be who they are,” she said.

The Rev. Curtis Farr, rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, opened the ceremony with an invocation encouraging tolerance and support.

“We acknowledge that, for many of us, being welcomed in our work places, faith communities, and even families, is not a given,” he said.

“Help us to see these realities,” he said, “to examine our systems and our hearts, and to live in solidarity with one another, making no peace with injustice of any kind.”