Princeton Kicks Off Pride Month With Events, Promise Of Inclusivity

PRINCETON, NJ - Princeton kicked off Pride Month with a flag-raising ceremony at Monument Hall on Friday. Mayor Mark Freda and Councilman Leighton Newlin opened the celebration, reaffirming the Municipality’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment for Princeton's LGBTQ+ residents.

"Pride Month is a time to honor the incredible contributions and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a time to recognize the strides we've made towards equality and to acknowledge the work that still lies ahead," Newlin said.

"Celebrating Pride is not just about commemorating the past; it's about fostering a future where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels seen, heard, and valued. Here in Princeton, we are deeply committed to the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. These are not just buzzwords for us; they are the very foundation of our community ethos. We strive to create a town where everyone can live authentically and with dignity, where differences are celebrated, and where every individual has the opportunity to thrive."

The flag-raising ceremony was held in collaboration with Bayard Rustin Center For Social Justice (BRSCJ) and HiTOPS.

Yvette Gibbs of the BRCSJ and Danella Vecchio of HiTOPS, highlighted the challenges and importance of fostering an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

"Just as we do at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice each and every day, our mission is to amplify the voices that aren’t heard or might not be valued so we can all thrive, not just survive," Gibbs, a BRCSJ Safe-Space Host, said. "In the spirit of celebrating all individuals, and in the month of June, the LGBTQIA community specifically, a special thank you to Princeton, for supporting us and for leading the way in celebrating and embracing diversity in all its forms."

Council President Mia Sacks, alongside Councilmembers Eve Niedergang and Michelle Pirone Lambros, as well as municipal staff and residents, attended the flag-raising.

Last November, Princeton earned the perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2023 Municipal Equality Index. The MEI assesses the inclusivity of municipal laws, policies, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals residing and working within municipalities.

Princeton implemented several initiatives to reach this status, like appointing liaisons within the government and police department, creating an inclusive workplace, ensuring equitable healthcare for transgender individuals, providing funding for LGBTQ+ programming, and expressing strong, public support for the LGBTQ+ community through communications and social media.

Pride Month is celebrated across the United States every year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.

Earlier, the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible.

But the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events across many cities and towns in the country. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, concerts and more.

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