Framingham To Raise the Pride Progress Flag This Weekend

FRAMINGHAM, MA — On Sunday, the City of Framingham will raise the Pride Progress Flag at the Memorial Building to mark LGBTQIA+ pride month.

The rain or shine event will take place on Sunday, June 2, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in front of the Memorial Building.

Rev. Debbie Clark of Edwards Church and the Framingham Interfaith Association will emcee the event.

The keynote speaker is State Representative Jack Patrick Lewis.

First elected in 2016, Rep. Lewis is the state representative for the 7th Middlesex District, which includes the Town of Ashland and a portion of the City of Framingham.

Rep. Lewis serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight. He also services as the co-chair of the Massachusetts House Progressive Caucus.

Rep. Lewis co-founded OUT MetroWest in 2011. Headquartered in Framingham, this non-the non profit organization serves LGBTQ+ middle and high school youth from across the MetroWest region by providing support groups, trainings, and community events.

In June 2016, his work at OUT MetroWest was honored with the “Nonprofit Excellence Award” from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. Rep. Lewis also received the Advancing Equity and Justice Award from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth.

Rep. Lewis is one of the highest ranking LGBTQIA+ legislators at the Massachusetts State House.

Mayor Charlie Sisitsky will welcome everyone to the event.

Other speakers include City of Framingham Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards, Framingham City Council Chair Phil Ottaviani Jr., Superintendent of Schools Bob Tremblay, and City of Framingham students.

After the speakers, the keynote speaker, and the student speakers will raise the Pride Progress flag.

The Pride Progress Flag was designed in 2018 by graphic designer Daniel Quasar. Along with the rainbow of colors, it also includes five new colors shaped into an arrow or a chevron pointing right. The colors are black, brown, light blue, pink, and white.

“Raising the Pride Progress flag is an act of solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Mayor Sisitsky.

After the speaking portion of the event, attendees can visit informational tables set up on the plaza from many of the organizers of the event including Downtown Framingham Inc, Framingham Public Schools, OUT MetroWest, Danforth Museum, Framingham Public Library, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Advocates, Plymouth Church, First Parish Church, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

The Framingham Public Library’s bookmobile will be at the celebration.

The Memorial Building will rotate in rainbow colors for the month of June, except for Flag Day weekend, when it will be red, white, and blue.