[Archived] City of Alexandria Celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2020

The City of Alexandria will celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in June through a series of workshops and the display of Rainbow Flags at Market Square (301 King St.) in front of City Hall.

LGBTQ Pride Month is recognized each year to celebrate LGBTQ people and the influence they have had around the world, as well as to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community. June was chosen as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969. The Stonewall Inn tavern, in New York City, is considered by many to be the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ movement for equality.

The Alexandria LGBTQ Task Force and Alexandria Library invite residents to register for free, online Celebrate Alexandria Pride Workshops from June 4-6, in lieu of the annual Alexandria Pride Fair, which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Workshop topics will range from LGBTQ literature and creative art programming, to the changing legal landscape for LGBTQ Virginians and counseling resources. Participation is a way to celebrate, show support and stay connected during a time that is particularly challenging for LGTBQ people, who are facing unique challenges due to the pandemic. 

On Thursday, June 4, Mayor Justin Wilson and members of City Council will present a Pride Month Proclamation before the workshop begins. Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegate Mark Levine will join to talk about the recent passage of the Virginia Values Act, historic legislation that extends non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Virginians. For more information about the workshops, presenters and how to register, visit alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ. 

The Rainbow Flag, which has symbolized the LGBTQ community movement since 1978, will be displayed at Market Square throughout June to show support for Alexandria’s LGBTQ residents and work toward equality for all. Funds to purchase the flags were donated to the City by Alexandria LBGTQ Task Force members Robert Petris and Scott Sapperstein.

For books and information related to LGBTQ Pride Month, visit the Alexandria Library’s LGBTQ Pride webpage.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.