TROY, N.Y. – Today, the City of Troy held its Third Annual Pride Flag Raising event with The Pride Center of the Capital Region and In Our Own Voices, Inc., marking the official kick-off of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the Collar City. Troy Mayor Wm. Patrick Madden became the first Troy mayor to raise a Pride flag in the city in 2021.
“Each of us have loved ones who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or somewhere else on the endlessly individual range of who we are and whom we love, which is why I am honored to raise a Pride flag in Troy for the third year in a row and affirm of the basic humanity of everyone in our communities,” said Troy Mayor Wm. Patrick Madden. “I thank The Pride Center of the Capital Region and In Our Own Voices, Inc. for helping proclaim June 2023 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the City of Troy and for their work, which honors the best traditions of our country and displays true patriotism.”
The event marks the 53rd anniversary for The Pride Center of the Capital Region, the oldest continually operating Pride Center in the United States. In Our Own Voices, Inc. is also celebrating 25 years of supporting the LGBTQIA+ BIPOC community. The Mayor presented both groups with proclamations not only declaring June 2023 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the City of Troy, but recognizing their contributions to the community.
Multiple events will celebrate Pride Month across the Capital Region, including in the City of Troy. Mayor Patrick Madden and Deputy Mayor Christopher Nolin will also participate in the Capital Pride Parade & Festival in Albany on June 11, 2023.
To view a directory of local LGBTQIA+ resources, find Pride events occurring in the City of Troy and more, visit troyny.gov/Pride.
Pride Center of the Capital Region Executive Director Nathaniel Gray: “The Pride Center of the Capital Region celebrates the third annual Pride Flag Raising in Troy, NY. We are in a time of attack and allyship, and the more we see folks coming out to support the LGBTQ+ community, the safer we all feel. It was great to see twice as many people this year, and look forward to even more folks going to school board meetings, advocating for kids that aren't theirs, and holding firm to the fact that LGBTQ+ people must always be safe in Troy; in New York; in the United States of America.”
In Our Own Voices, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tandra Lagrone: “In Our Own Voices, Inc. is exceedingly excited to participate in the City of Troy Pride flag Raising in honor of diversity and inclusion, especially at a time when Anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation is at its all-time high. Understanding that we are not a monolithic community is essential, and honoring all contributions and sexual minorities is a MUST!”
All photos from today's press event are available for download here.
Background on Pride Month:
On June 28th, 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City triggered demonstrations now known as the Stonewall Riots. This galvanizing moment is recognized as the catalyst for the modern queer rights movement, with lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and other communities forming activist organizations to advance equal rights for all people. Every June, communities like Troy celebrate Pride Month to honor the existence of queer people simply seeking to exist on their own terms with dignity, the contributions of those who have fought to secure greater rights for the queer community, and to raise awareness of the continued threat of violence and human rights abuses that many queer Americans continue to face.
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