Despite uncertain times across the globe, Hoboken still raised the rainbow flag at City Hall for LGBTQ Pride Month yesterday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We raised the #Pride flag above City Hall today, to demonstrate our continued solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community, as well as all those who have been oppressed and deserve to be heard, respected and listened to,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla tweeted.
“As MLK once said about morality and inclusion: ‘from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice.’ Now, more than ever, we must remind our neighbors that love is universal and doesn’t change based on who you love, the color of your skin or what God you believe in (or don’t believe in),” 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, who is openly gay, wrote on Facebook.
Last year, for the second year in a row, the City of Hoboken received a perfect score (100 percent) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI), an annual examination of more than 500 municipalities relating to LGBTQ+ laws and policies.
Hoboken is one of only three municipalities in the State of New Jersey to have achieved this distinction, city officials said.
LGBTQ community advocate Laura Knittle was also present for yesterday’s ceremony.
