The raising of Pride flags in Sarnia's downtown Thursday was a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Sarnia Pride and Transgender Association held a virtual flag-raising ceremony at the Seaway Centre Parkette over the noon hour.
During a recorded speech, member Crystal Fach expressed solidarity with the protests happening across the U.S. and around the world.
Pride flag-raising ceremony at the Seaway Centre Parkette in Sarnia. 4 June 2020. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Colin Gowdy)
"The LGBTQ community got to where we are because of people of colour and our community that fought for us, so our rights are here because of them. I think that what is happening in the states is necessary and they need their voices heard, and I know myself, I stand with them in what they're fighting for," said Fach. "Black lives do matter, and until their lives matter, we can't stop this fight. It needs to be recognized, people in power need to be held accountable to how they're treating these folks, and I think it ties in [with the flag raising] -- there was one point where we were in that same situation and they came to us to support us and they fought for us, so it's our turn to return that favour and fight for them as well."
Fach said it's important to recognize pride month every year, but especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing.
"I think it's even more important to bring some hope into the homes of people that may not be able to get out and be with other LGBTQ people, especially our young folks that aren't out or our old folks that aren't out who don't have accepting families, they need to see this virtually that we are doing this for them to make them still feel connected," she said. "This is only the second year that we've had the flag raising in Sarnia. I think locally it's important to show folks that live here that might not be out or are considering coming here, that we are a safe and inclusive city."
In May 2019, Sarnia council decided to recognize Pride month by raising multicoloured flags along the waterfront.
Pride month is celebrated worldwide each June to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969.