LGBT PRIDE FLAG RAISED OVER CITY HALL CONCOURSE

SOMERVILLE
-A crowd twice the size of last year's joined the Somerville High School
Gay/Straight Alliance and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone on Tuesday for the raising
of the Pride flag at Somerville High School. The annual event, which raises the
Pride flag in full view of both City Hall and the High School, is a declaration
that the City of Somerville is an open, welcoming and affirming city for the
LGBT community.

This
year's event marked the 13^th year that the Pride flag has been
raised in Somerville. The tradition began under Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay with support
of the City's Human Rights and Women's Commissions, OutSomerville and the Project
10 East LGBT youth group, who together first raised the Pride flag over Davis
Square Plaza in 2000.

In
2005, Mayor Curtatone moved the ceremony to the City Hall Concourse, sending a
clear message that all are welcome in Somerville and that City Hall stands with
the LGBT community, from students through senior citizens.

On
Tuesday, Mayor Curtatone joinedthe Gay/Straight Alliance in again proudly raising
the flag over the city as the City reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming all
regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

"The
importance of this kind of symbolic gesture cannot be underestimated. It's
affirming and comforting to see this kind of very public support for the LGBT
community," said City of Somerville LGBT liaison Elizabeth Field. "Somerville
really should be proud that it is such an extraordinarily welcoming City that
doesn't just tolerate but rather celebrates diversity."