Livingston Celebrates Pride Month: Flag Raising, Events For Kids

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion will host a flag raising ceremony in honor of Pride Month 2021 at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

According to a statement from organizers, the ceremony will also include a pair of family-friendly events beforehand:

• 5:15 p.m. - Parents and children are invited to the patio of the Livingston Public Library for coloring and t-shirt tie dye. T-shirts will be provided to the first 25 participants courtesy of Express Yourself Studios in Maplewood.
• 5:30 p.m. - Rainbow Storytime begins. Public library staff will read stories which feature LGBT characters and explain concepts like orientation and gender identity in a kid-friendly way.

The flag raising ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in front of town hall. Members of the Township Council, community advocates, representatives from the middle and high school LGBT clubs, faith-based organizations and others will take part in the ceremony.

In a first for Livingston, a modified “Progress” Pride flag, featuring the traditional rainbow alongside stripes to honor the transgender community and LGBT people of color will be raised, organizers said.

According to the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion:

“The new flag, which also features a forward arrow, is emblematic of the ceremony theme. On one hand, it is a celebration of identity, culture, and the civil rights that have been achieved. Conversely, there remain challenges in ensuring LGBT people are afforded equal rights and experiences – from our hometown to places abroad. The gathering represents a reaffirmation of the commitment to ensuring justice for all.”

In case of inclement weather, ceremonies will take place in the library program room. Masks will not be required at outdoor event areas but will be required if the event takes place indoors. Any questions can be emailed to lcdi.pride@gmail.com.

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