Sacramento, CA…At the request of Governor Gavin Newsom and in commemoration of June as LGBTQ Pride Month, the Pride flag will be flown on the main flagpole of the State Capitol building​ today through July 1 ​for the first time in state history. The flag was raised this morning by staff from the California Department of General Services with oversight from an honor guard from the California National Guard.

“In California, we celebrate and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community’s right to live out loud – during Pride month and every month,” said Governor Newsom. “By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love.”

Today’s flag raising follows similar historical firsts in Colorado and Wisconsin and comes at a time when the federal government has told U.S. embassies they can’t fly pride flags.

“Seeing the Pride flag prominently flown at the Capitol reminds people everywhere that while some states and the federal government dehumanize LGBTQ people, California stands firmly for equality and inclusion,” said Senator Scott Wiener, Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “It reminds LGBTQ Californians that our government is working to move our community forward.”

While today is the first time the pride flag has flown on the flag pole above the State Capitol, the flag has previously been hung over balconies both inside and outside of the building and the Capitol dome was illuminated in rainbow colors in June 2015 when the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment requires all states to grant same-sex marriages and recognize same-sex marriages granted in other states. This June also marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which is credited as one of the moments that launched the LGBTQ civil rights movement.

“Raising the Pride flag at the California State Capitol is symbolic of more than Pride Month. This is about respecting and honoring the humanity of all people,” said Assemblymember Todd Gloria, Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “At a time when the Trump Administration is forbidding U.S. embassies and consulates around the world from raising pride flags, we are sending the message that we acknowledge and respect LGBTQ people, and they have a home here in California. I am proud Governor Newsom is continuing to keep California as a rainbow beacon of hope for the rest of the nation.”

“Flying the Pride flag over the Capitol is a powerful symbol of California’s leadership on LGBTQ civil rights and social justice – a literal beacon of hope to LGBTQ people throughout the state and across the country,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “Once again, Governor Newsom is demonstrating his commitment to building a California for all. We’re deeply grateful to him and to the First Partner for being such dedicated allies to our LGBTQ community.”

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