Flag Raised, Proclamation Made, For Milford Pride Month

MILFORD, CT – On the steps of Milford City Hall, Milford Mayor Richard Smith delivered a proclamation making the month of June Pride Month in Milford on Monday, June 12.

“June is designated as our month to celebrate the progress and accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community over many decades of oppression, violence and isolation,” Smith said.

Organizer for the event Kara DeLeonardis Kraus said she moved to Milford in the fall with her family from Vermont and said when she thought about where to move her “rainbow family,” she decided Milford was the perfect place.

“I’m happy to have found myself here in Milford and happy to have helped receive Milford pride,” Kraus said. “Now more than ever, some of the attacks, especially against our most vulnerable, trans-youth and queer, non-binary youth across the country, have been on the rise.”

The proclamation was attended by several people who supported the declaration and were wearing Pride colors.

After the speakers were finished, Smith and Kraus raised the Pride Flag in front of City Hall.

“If I may, it’s unfortunate that we need a Pride Month or a Black Lives Matter or any of the efforts we have to push back on the repression and the isolation and violence that so many in our society face,” Smith said. “I salute the community for organizing, taking the commercialism out, and saying we are here to join hands. We are one.”

Kraus said it is essential to have visibility, representation, and support for all the community members.

“I’m a private practice therapist for our community, and there is not enough of us counselors out there; there is still so much work to do, but I feel like this is an important contribution,” Kraus said. “For people to see the rainbow flag is important because I know I can feel welcomed, and my kids can feel welcomed also.”