PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The city got an early start on LGBTQ Pride Month celebrations Friday when dozens of people gathered at the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to stretch out all four corners of the largest pride flag in Philly history — and the largest in Pennsylvania.
“This is a flag that was instituted. A progress Pride flag that encompasses all parts of our community and was created to really lift that up,” said Tyrell Brown, executive director of social services nonprofit GALAEI, which is the organizer of yearlong Pride 365 community events.
The 400-foot rainbow flag will tour the city, with stops at City Hall and in South Philly and Manayunk. Brown says they hope to catch as much attention as possible.
“Bringing it to all the locations in the city is a way to say to the City of Philadelphia that we’re here, we’re queer, we’re proud,” said Brown. “But also, you don’t need to just see us. You need to affirm us, lift us up, and support us as well.”
Pride events will take place all throughout June, starting off on Saturday, June 1, with a series of events up and down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that culminate in the Pride Promenade party at the Franklin Institute. The Pride March and procession to the Pride Festival in the Gayborhood is June 2.
Brown says people may pay attention to the glitz and glamour of pride celebrations, but it’s also an opportunity to bring resources to those in need.
“We love for people to come for a show, but really, that’s the magnetizing effect to get people into a valve of opportunity that they may not be able to exercise in the future.”
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misidentified the largest Pride flag in the country.