For the first time, Philadelphia’s annual rainbow flag-raising ceremony will take place the same day as OutFest.
The sixth-annual event take places at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Northeast corner of City Hall. The flag-raising commemorates LGBT History Month.
“Each year, LGBT History Month highlights the historical contributions of the LGBT community and draws attention to the continued fight for civil rights,” Mayor Michael Nutter said in a statement. “I am proud that Philadelphia has such a strong LGBT community and that it has been recognized as being the best big city in the country for LGBT equality.”
This marks the first flag-raising ceremony since the passing of Gloria Casarez, the former director of the Office of LGBT Affairs who conceived of the event in 2010. Casarez died last year, about two weeks after the flag-raising.
The city will honor Casarez at next week’s event, as well as highlight the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders demonstration, the 40th anniversary of the William Way LGBT Community Center and the 25th anniversary of Philadelphia FIGHT. The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will perform and will be supported by the LGBT Veteran Color Guard.
“October is our month to celebrate the LGBT community’s complete history,” said Nellie Fitzpatrick, Director of LGBT Affairs. “Some of that history is painful and some remains in the shadows, but this celebration serves as an incredible testament to the resilient spirit of the many diverse individuals that make up the LGBT community.”
OutFest will kick off at noon in the Gayborhood, and a mural in Casarez’s honor will be dedicated at 12th Street Gym at 1 p.m.