Stratford kicked off Pride Month with a flag‑raising ceremony at Town Hall Monday morning.
The ceremony brought together residents, advocates and elected leaders to recognize the contributions of Stratford's LGBTQIA+ community.
Mayor David Chess issued a proclamation saying that every resident deserves to be respected, valued and embraced for who they are — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Community leaders say it's important to have pride all year around.
"It makes people visible, it gives us pride, us in the gay community. I've been out so long I forget I'm gay. But it's important to be reminded because then some young person who doesn't have the courage yet will go, ‘Wait a minute. I can do this. If that old gal can do it. I can do this,’" said Rev. Sara Smith, with United Congregational Church of Bridgeport.
This is Stratford's eighth year flying the Pride flag during the month of June.