RUTHERFORD, NJ TO FLY LGBTQ+ PRIDE FLAG FOR FIRST TIME ON JUNE 1

Flag raising, presented by Rutherford Pride Alliance,

receives unanimous support by Borough Council

Rutherford, NJ – May 30, 2019 – Rutherford Pride Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and fostering LGBTQ+ inclusivity, visibility, and advocacy in the Rutherford, NJ area, is pleased to announce that the rainbow Pride Flag will fly for the very first time at Rutherford Borough Hall in recognition of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. A public flag raising ceremony will take place on June 1, 2019 at 11am in front of Borough Hall, located at 176 Park Avenue. The flag raising will take place rain or shine and all are welcome to attend.

“The Pride Flag is an immensely important symbol, particularly during Pride Month, and signifies to all LGBTQ+ residents that they are welcome within our community,” said Rob Lyons, chairperson, Rutherford Pride Alliance. “We are thrilled to celebrate this universal statement of inclusion and communicate a message of love and acceptance, demonstrating that all people – no matter who they are or who they love – are welcome and celebrated in our community.”

Founded in 2018 by a small group of LGBTQ+ allies and identifying residents, Rutherford Pride Alliance has grown to several hundred members, stemming from not only Rutherford but the neighboring towns of East Rutherford and Lyndhurst as well.

The June 1 ceremony is open to the public and will feature remarks by Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality, as well as local and county dignitaries, and a musical performance by the local youth choir.

Over the past several years a number of New Jersey towns have opted to fly the rainbow flag in recognition of Pride Month, including Ridgewood, Union, Maplewood, Glen Rock, Westwood and Rochelle Park, and most recently Lyndhurst, among others. The Rutherford Borough Council voted unanimously on April 8, 2019 to raise the pride flag at Borough Hall.

2019 is a historic year for the LGBTQ+ community as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Created in 1978 by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, the Pride Flag quickly became an iconic symbol of the gay community and today is globally recognized as a symbol to further the movement towards equal rights.

About Rutherford Pride Alliance

Founded in 2018, Rutherford Pride Alliance is a community group formed to promote and foster LGBTQ+ inclusivity, visibility and advocacy in the Rutherford, NJ area. Comprised of a group of Rutherford citizens, which encompass more than 165+ years of residency, the alliance was established as a way to introduce LGBTQ community members to one another, on a social level, as well as to benefit all members of the community – whether LGBTQ identifying or not. For more information, please contact RutherfordPrideAlliance@gmail.com.

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