Submitted by Capital City Pride
In recognition of Pride month, Governor Jay Inslee has invited local community members to help him raise a rainbow flag this Friday, June 19 at 2:30 pm at the State flag circle in front of the State Capitol Dome. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 2 p.m., wear Pride shirts and to bring their cameras to capture this historic moment.
This historic flag raising signifies the first time a rainbow flag, long the symbol of LGBTQ rights, will be raised at the State Capitol in honor of Pride Month and in honor of Capital City Pride’s PRIDE 25! Celebration. Governor Inslee will address the crowd and then the flag will be raised by Spencer Daniels, a representative of SAGE Olympia, which serves older LGBTQ community members, and Ruben Garza, a youth participant in PIZZA Klatch which supports LGBTQ+ youth in local high schools. Together, they represent the history and the future of the LGBTQ community.
“I never thought I’d live to see the day that a rainbow flag was raised at the State Capitol”’ said Anna Schlecht, Capital City Pride chair, “When Capital City Pride was founded in Olympia 25 years ago, we created a logo featuring the Capitol Dome with a rainbow flag as an expression of our hopes and dreams of equality. And now the day has come when our logo becomes reality.”
The public is invited to join Governor Inslee and Capital City Pride for this short ceremony at the flag circle, which is located on the state Capitol campus between the Capitol dome and the Temple of Justice.
Capital City Pride will celebrate PRIDE 25!, its 25th anniversary of Pride in Olympia starting with the flag raising. Later Friday there will be a kick-off party from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday night, June 19 . The first portion of events will feature live performance, speakers and complimentary cake indoors at the Urban Onion restaurant at 116 Legion Way. This will be followed by an outdoor lighting ceremony at dusk that features the Phlame Crew.
The Pride Festival goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21 at Heritage Park. The Festival will feature Grammy award winner Kimya Dawson and LA based drag performer Alusia along with other performers, a family fun area and many booths.
The 25th annual Pride Parade will be Sunday noon to 1 p.m., starting at the State Capitol following a route down Capitol Way, turning left on Legion Way to Heritage Park. These family-friendly events are free and open to the public. Please visit us on Facebook or on the web at www.capitalcitypride.net
