For the first time in Albany’s history, the LGBT and Transgender Pride Flags have been raised in Washington Park to mark Pride Month for the month of June. The raising of the flags has been being sponsored by the City of Albany and the Washington Park Conservancy, with support from partners at the Pride Center of the Capital Region, the Albany Damien Center, In Our Own Voices, the city’s Department of General Services, and City Councilmember Richard Conti.
Washington Park and its surrounding neighborhoods have been havens for the LGBT community for generations. It is beyond fitting and long overdue for these symbols to stand at the heart of our city’s great public park system.” said Daniel McEneny, board president of the Washington Park Conservancy. “The pride flags span many meanings to many people. In light of the recent events in the city of Albany, we raise the flag as a reminder of the role that advocacy plays in the shaping of our city and that we stand united as citizens in advancing equality for all. “
Martha Harvey, Executive Director of the Pride Center of the Capital Region said, “The Pride Center of the Capital Region is grateful to the Washington Park Conservancy for supporting the LGBTQ community organizations in the Capital Region. In these very challenging times, symbolic events like raising the rainbow & trans flags for Pride month is a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility and acceptance. We at the Pride Center continue to provide online support to our community members and look forward to when we can come together again to celebrate as one.”
We are proud to have continuously supported our LGB & TGNB community for the past 30 years through our programs and advocacy and most recently through the MPower! Program to ensure health equity for all.,” said Perry Junjulas, Executive Director of the Albany Damien Center. “We will be celebrating virtually to celebrate Pride Month with all our LGB & TGNB family as offer our continued support and love during this difficult time.”
Tandra R. LaGrone, Executive Director of In Our Own Voices said, “Washington Park was home to the first Black & Latino Gay Pride over 13 years ago and has been the home of the event for the last 5 years. We recognize the park as an accessible, centrally located space for our communities to gather and for IOOV to highlight the contributions of LGBT Communities of Color to the Capital Region and the community at large.”
