Community News

The colors of the rainbow have been more visible in Oswego during this month of June 2021.

These colors are usually seen in the skies after a rain shower or one of our beautiful Oswego sunsets, but rainbow-striped Pride flags are being flown all over the city during June's observance of LGBTQ Pride Month.

Pride Month is observed in June to commemorate the Christopher Street Uprising, a major event in the struggle for gay rights and acceptance. Occurring in June 1969, this event in New York City spurred further uprisings and inspired the organization of gay liberation marches across the country.

The rainbow flag was designed and displayed in San Francisco in 1978. Its six colored stripes represent the diversity of the LGBTQ community, and was adopted by the Pride movement as its symbol.

Presidents Clinton and Obama and in 2021 President Biden have officially recognized June as LGBTQ Pride Month in the U.S. Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow also recognizes Pride Month, and the Pride flag has flown outside City Hall every June since 2017.

Oswego resident Steve Phillips said that he remembers seeing the Pride flag flying in Oswego as far back as 2008, and it was displayed prominently at the Coffee Connection on Water Street for many years.

Phillips said that he and his husband Paul Stewart had flown the Pride flag at their residence, and were asked by friends and neighbors where they could be purchased locally. "We couldn't find anyone that carried them in the area, so we ordered a bunch!" Over the past several years, Steve and Paul have purchased a large quantity of the flags and have given them to anyone who wanted one.

Phillips went on to say that "Gay Pride is not just about being proud to be gay, but rather to bring attention to the struggles the LGBTQ community has experienced, and the progress in acceptance that has been made. I would guess that 90% of our flags are being flown by our 'straight' allies."

Thanks to the efforts of Phillips and Stewart, homes all over the city of Oswego are proudly displaying the rainbow flag this month. It is hoped that as acceptance grows, someday in the future Pride Month won't be needed. It will just be another month.