Bergen County Honoring LGBTQ Healthcare Workers And First Responders

PARAMUS, NJ — Bergen County will recognize members of the LGBTQ+ community on Monday, particularly those who are healthcare workers and first responders, with a pride flag raising and festival.

The flag-raising ceremony and resource festival are scheduled for Monday, June 13 at 5 p.m. at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (230 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus).

This is the first collaborative pride flag raising in the county, according to a media advisory. The event is sponsored by Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, The County of Bergen, Buddies of New Jersey, and Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance.

Pride Month, observed June 1-30 nationwide, honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, five days of riots after police raided the Stonewall Inn that became a watershed moment for gay rights.

After the flag raising and some speakers, there will be a resource festival "featuring essential LGBTQIA+ services, music, refreshments, and Pride-themed giveaways."

Speakers include: Deborah Visconi, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center President and CEO; James J. Tedesco, Bergen County Executive; Tracy Zur, Chairperson of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners; Deb Guston, Chairperson of the Bergen County LGBTQ Advisory Board; Mark Hettinger of Elmwood Park EMS; Anthony Torres of the Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance, and Ray Welsh of Buddies of New Jersey.

People will meet at the gazebo flagpole. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to Annex 1 (white tent on left).