The ceremony in City Park Saturday morning was about a lot of things.
It was a celebration. It was a protest. It was a call to action.
But, mostly, it was a display of pride.
Dozens gathered at the park to officially raise the Pride flag during an event that kicked off Pride Month in Berks County. Pride Month is held each June to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ+ community.
Reading Mayor Eddie Moran, who hosted the event with Reading Pride Celebration, said the raising of the flag was a symbol of Reading’s dedication to inclusion and acceptance.
“It is essential to declare that all — I’ll say that again, all — are welcome in the City of Reading,” he told the crowd. “This is no place for hatred, discrimination or inequality.”
Moran’s inclusive words were echoed by many of the state, county and local officials who spoke during Saturday’s ceremony.
“This is a community that welcomes everyone,” State Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, said, adding that in order to thrive Berks needs to value each and every person. “This community has to come together and it has to work hard to make that happen.”
State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz said she is grateful for the countless contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, adding that she wishes there was more the state government could do to support their ongoing fight against hatred and discrimination.
The Reading Democrat said that every day everyone must wake up with the intent to look out for their neighbors, to love their neighbors.
“Love is an action word,” she said. “Enough is enough, it’s all hands on deck. This is life, people, this is life or death.”
State Rep. Manny Guzman likewise issued a call to action during his remarks.
The Reading Democratic said that we are at a precarious moment in history, and that this November’s election is critical in the battle for equality, inclusion and freedom.
“Think about your rights that are on the line,” he said.
Guzman encouraged the crowd to “sharpen their blades” as they prepare to “beat back against bigotry.”
“Let’s fight, let’s celebrate and let’s do it together,” he said.
Enrique Castro, CEO and executive director of Reading Pride Celebration, spoke about both celebration and political action during his remarks.
He said that hatred exists when ignorance thrives and when people lack understanding. Pride month, he said, is all about fixing that.
“We’re letting everyone know it’s really a safe space for our community,” he said. “And not just our community, but every marginalized community.”
Castro said that the LGBTQ+ community isn’t asking for special treatment, only to be treated like everyone else. And that work is still ongoing.
“Our fight is not over,” he said. “The hate is real. There are haters who would rather see us dead than to live our lives and be happy.”
Along with the Pride flag that was raised at City Park on Saturday, a second one will be flown this month outside City Hall.
Source: Berkshire mont