Rainbow Flag at City Hall Lowered to Half Staff in Honor of Employee

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter joined city officials and residents during a flag lowering ceremony Monday in honor of Gloria Casarez, the city’ first Director of the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs.

Casarez passed away Sunday after battling cancer. She was 42.

Mayor Nutter has ordered that the rainbow flag, which is currently being flown at City Hall in honor of LGBT History Month, be lowered to half staff in honor of Casarez.

“Gloria was a fun, serious, strong and kind person who always wanted to do more for others and who fought for equality of rights for all people. She was a clear, strong voice to the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia and across America,” Mayor Nutter said in a statement.

Casarez was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Kensington. She is a graduate of West Chester University with degrees in criminal justice and a second in political science. She was a founding member and community organizer of Empty the Shelters, a national housing rights and economic justice organization.

As director of the City’s LGBT Office, Gloria Casarez developed priorities and policy for the Administration in a wide range of areas, including health, city services, civil rights, public safety and education, according to information from the Mayor’s office.