FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 7, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO As part of his efforts to create a more inclusive San Diego and demonstrate the Citys support for the LGBTQ community, Mayor Todd Gloria was joined by civic and LGBTQ community leaders today to raise the rainbow Pride flag at City Hall for the first time in San Diego history. This comes as June is recognized as National LGBTQ Pride Month.

Mayor Gloria is the City of San Diegos first elected LGBTQ Mayor. San Diego also carries the distinction of being the largest city in the country to ever elect an openly gay man as Mayor.

The rainbow flag flying proudly at City Hall for the first time sends an important message to our LGBTQ community: we see you, we support you and you belong here, Mayor Gloria said. This flag is a representation of the LGBTQ communitys resilience, the struggles we have faced and a reminder that we must continue to fight for inclusiveness and respect in many parts of the world.

Mayor Gloria was joined by City Council President Dr. Jennifer Campbell, Council President Pro Tem Stephen Whitburn, City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez, and representatives from San Diego LGBT Pride and the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

I am so proud to include the LGBTQ+ flag over City Hall because we know that San Diego recognizes the talents and abilities of all types of people no matter your color, religion, or who we love, Council President Campbell said.

The flag hanging at City Hall is known as the Progress Pride Flag, which adds five arrow-shaped lines to the classic Rainbow Pride Flag. The additional stripes represent marginalized communities of color, signified by the black and brown arrow-shaped lines, and the transgender community, signified by the white, pink, and blue arrow-shaped lines.

Raising this flag today is a great symbol to show that the City of San Diego cares about our diverse communities, Council President Pro Tem Whitburn said. It speaks to our commitment to ensure the rights and safety of all, and that we will continue to fight for a better tomorrow.

San Diegos flag was sewn in the Hillcrest neighborhood by Shaun Sharp and Ashley Nell Tipton a native San Diegan and the season 14 winner of the hit television show Project Runway.

Though the Pride flag had previously been displayed inside the City Administration Building during San Diegos Pride Month in July, Mayor Gloria for the first time is flying the flag in recognition of national Pride Month. It will fly outside the building until Aug. 1, the conclusion of San Diegos local LGBTQ Pride Month.

Pride Month is a national recognition of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, which are seen as a tipping point for LGBTQ rights in the United States. The purpose of Pride Month is to celebrate the LGBTQ community and honor its significant impact on history, both locally and worldwide.

###