Ridgewood Will Fly LGBTQ Flag For Pride Month

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A rainbow LGBTQ flag will be hoisted atop a new flagpole at Van Neste Square Memorial Park next month for Pride Month.

The flag will be raised at a ceremony at 10 a.m. June 1.

"We're very fortunate to have a very diverse community and I think it is important to embrace everyone, no matter how we look, who we are, we're all part of the same community," said Mayor Ramon Hache. "It's important for us to come together."

Donations paid for the flagpole.

"I'm overwhelmed by the generosity by the residents who are making this flagpole happen," Hache said. "I'm very happy to see that the money came in quickly."

A rainbow banner was displayed in the park last year.

Ridgewood's officials last year decided, after much discussion, to fly a pride flag at Van Neste rather than at Village Hall for Pride Month.

The issue created some controversy after council members seemed to be against flying the flag on the municipal flagpole.

A pride flag was flown at Ridgewood High School the previous two years. The high school's Gay-Straight Alliance, a student-led group, spearheaded the initiatives.

Ridgewood was the first high school in New Jersey to raise a pride flag.

An LGBTQ pride flag will be raised at Wilde Memorial Park in Glen Rock on June 1.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and student representatives from the Glen Rock High School Alliance will speak at the ceremony.

Related:

• Gay Pride Flag Will Be Flown At Ridgewood High School
• Ridgewood Council Approves Flying Gay Pride Flag Next Month
• LGBT Pride Flag To Be Raised In Glen Rock

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com