Symbols matter. This flag tells someone that you are safe here, that you are welcome. That’s why visibility matters.” — Doris Ortiz
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
The mood outside of Biddeford City Hall was certainly festive on Monday afternoon as dozens of residents and others gathered for the city’s fifth annual raising of the Pride Flag.
The annual June 1 event serves as the kick-off event for other celebrations throughout the month that symbolize diversity, equality and inclusion all over the United States.
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The history of the annual Pride event can be traced back more than 50 years, when demonstrations broke out in New York City at the Stonewall Inn, which was then described by news outlets as “a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village.”
A June 28, 1969 police raid at the Stonewall Inn ignited six days of protests and clashes between police and supporters of the “gay community,” now commonly known as LGBTQ + supporters and allies.
According to the Village Voice newspaper, those 1969 demonstrations served as “a massive turning point for the modern gay liberation movement.”
Mayor Liam LaFountain read some opening remarks at Monday’s ceremony. The mayor’s proclamation will be repeated at the start of the regular June 2 city council meeting on Tuesday.
LaFountain noted that LGBTQ+ movement has “achieved historic progress in many areas including anti-bullying and hate crime legislation and marriage equality.”
“The people of Maine voted to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 2005,” LaFountain said. “Yet, despite years of progress, members of the LGBTQ+ community to face unacceptable levels of discrimination, violence, and proposed rollbacks in state and federal protections; and experience unemployment, homelessness and poverty at greater levels than the general population.”
Scroll through the gallery of Monday’s event
Former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz, now a resident of Arundel and hoping to be the region’s representative as York County Commissioner, recalled the city’s first PRIDE event five years ago.
“I was proud to be part of this city’s first PRIDE event,” Ortiz told the crowd. “Change does not happen all at once. It’s a step-by-step process.”
Ortiz encouraged the crowd, especially younger residents, to be active and involved in their community.
“Your voice matters, it always has,” Ortiz said. “None of this happened by accident. Symbols matter. This flag tells someone that you are safe here, that you are welcome. That’s why visibility matters.”
This year’s event was also attended by several dignitaries including State Sen. Henry Ingwersen and Rep. Marc Malon, both Democrats.
City Councilors David Kurtz and Abigail Woods also attended the event, along with representatives from the Heart of Biddeford and the Tiger Allies Club at Biddeford High School.
Jamie Harron served as the emcee for this year’s event. She is the newest member of the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and has been living in Biddeford for three years.
“I love this community,” Harron said. “I’m so thrilled to be able to do work from inside government, to be a participant in local government and not just an observer.”
Biddeford’s PRIDE flag was raised this year by Biddeford High School senior Freyja Tuttle, president of the Tiger Allies Club; and sophomore Nevaeh Thompson of Biddeford.
The Tiger Allies is Biddeford High School’s LGBTQIA+ and diversity club. The student-led organization promotes inclusivity, respect, and a safe, welcoming environment for all students, according to its Facebook page.
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