Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee joined today with Springfield Pride Parade Committee members and founder Taurean Bethea as well as Ali Haqq of Springfield Pride on the front steps of City Hall to declare June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Springfield with a proclamation presentation and to raise, for the first time in Springfield, the Progressive Pride Flag. Attorney Gee represented Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City as the emcee for today’s Pride Month celebrations – unfortunately Mayor Sarno had to attend a dear family friend’s funeral and could not be there for this event that he looks forward to.
Mayor Sarno stated, “A good person is a good person, no matter what creed, color, background, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As a longtime member of Mayors Against LGBTQ Discrimination, I am proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community to remind all that each of us deserves the same level of equality and respect. This month in particular, we honor those who have fought for equality for our LGBTQ+ community and recognize that respecting the rights of all makes for a better city and community.”
Also in attendance for today’s celebration was Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Elections Commissioner Gladys Oyola, Deputy Director of Veterans’ Affairs Joseph DeCaro, Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator Tony L. Pettaway, Director of Constituent Services Molly Shea, Office of Racial Equity Coordinator Chrismery Gonzalez, Veterans’ Services Investigator Gerald Champigny, City Councilor Tracye Whitfield, City Councilor Jesse Lederman, and Legislative Aide to Senator Adam Gomez Ali Reza-Reyes.
