Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies were on hand at city hall on Thursday afternoon for the raising of the Progress Pride flag.
The ceremony represents the opening of several events that are taking place in the city throughout the month of June.
Eric Bolton, co-founder of Grand River Pride, welcomed those in attendance and thanked the people of Cambridge for their support.
“All the way through my teen and adult life so far I’ve seen how this community shows up and loves and supports each other,” Bolton said.
“It’s a community where grassroots movements can easily happen because you can walk down the street and be waving at everyone you meet. It’s a town that feels a lot smaller than it is.”
Bolton recalled his own journey about coming out as gay and admitted he was scared of how people would react.
That fear quickly turned to happiness thanks to the response he received from those around him.
“I was so nervous, even though I knew this community is loving and beautiful, I was terrified,” he said.
“I didn’t come from an upbringing that was celebrating of queer people. My view of society was that there was still a lot of hate toward queer people. When I did come out I was met instead with hundreds, if not thousands, of people supporting and sending messages of love. I was brought to tears numerous times out of the overwhelming love this community showed me.”
Mayor Jan Liggett also addressed the crowd with a message of inclusiveness.
“We raise this flag to show our support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to acknowledge how much your involvement in the greater community adds to our diversity and strength,” she said.
“Pride Week is not only a time to celebrate love and acceptance but also a time to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to honour the courage and resilience of those who fought for equal rights and justice.”
Grand River Pride will be running several events in the city throughout the month of June.
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