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Wilmington recognizes LGBTQ Pride Month with flag raising

City officials, representatives from Chemours and a local musician raised the rainbow pride flag over Rodney Square Wednesday.

 

Mayor Mike Purzycki read from a proclamation recognizing pride month.

 

"We come together today and everyday strengthened by the rich diversity of culture, race, gender and sexual identity through our city— all of which contributes to the vibrancy, stability and character of the City of Wilmington," Purzycki said.

In a statement, Purzycki added that Wilmington “works hard to honor and respect all people including its LGBTQ citizens.”

Lifelong Wilmingtonian Jay Moody attended Wednesday’s event.

 

“It’s a slow start,” he said. “But it’s 2019. Y’all just gotta get along— gay, straight.”

But Hockessin resident Denise Lundy, who grew up in Wilmington and identifies as a lesbian, was not satisfied with the flag raising ceremony.

 

“I think it’s a political stunt,” she said. “You give us one hour in the middle of the week in the middle of the day? No, that’s not progress.”

Lundy wants the administration to support LGBTQ entrepreneurs, homeless LGBTQ youth and efforts to fight HIV. She is also concerned about violence against LGBTQ individuals in the city.

Wilmington scores the highest of eight First State municipalities in the Human Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ Municipal Equality Index. But the index shows the city lacks transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits for city employees and a city contractor non-discrimination ordinance.

According to the index, the city also has room to improve in the areas of services for LGBTQ youth, elders and homeless residents.

Several pride month events are scheduled in Wilmington, including a pride show hosted by a local drag queen at Theater N and two LGBTQ happy hours.

 
The pride flag raised Wednesday was provided by The Chemours Company, which is headquartered across the street from Rodney Square.

Sophia Schmidt is a Delaware native. She comes to Delaware Public Media from NPR’s Weekend Edition in Washington, DC, where she produced arts, politics, science and culture interviews. She previously wrote about education and environment for The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, MA. She graduated from Williams College, where she studied environmental policy and biology, and covered environmental events and local renewable energy for the college paper.
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