On Monday evening the Marlborough Town Board declared June Pride Month in honor of the LGBTQ community. The board took it a step further by making sure that every June in the future would be named Pride month.

Joseph Caserto presented the town with a newly designed LGBTQ flag to be flown on the town’s main flagpole this month.

Supervisor Scott Corcoran read a letter from Tim Lawton, who was unable to attend the meeting. Lawton began by stating that the fight for dignity and equality for his community was sparked by the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June of 1969. He noted that the LGBTQ community has made strides for civil and legal equality since that time.

“These achievements are worthy of celebration and pride yet LGBTQ people still face discrimination in schools, the workplace, from hate communities and in the larger society. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and in gender identification is often compounded with discrimination on the basis of race, immigration status, religion, disability and age among others.”

Lawton points out that, “there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety, respect and equality of LGBTQ people, especially for Black, indigenous and other people of color and trans people. LGBTQ Pride continues to evolve and the meaning is as diverse as the community itself. It is a time for celebration and a time for recommitting to the work ahead to ensure that LGBTQ individuals can live free and authentically. LGBTQ people deserve to know that their fellow citizens respect them and stand with them in the fight for equality. To honor the LGBTQ individuals who have contributed much to our global community and here in Marlborough and to honor those working for a more inclusive community everywhere, I hereby ask that June be the LGBTQ Pride Month in the Town of Marlborough.”

Caserto, who is a graphic designer and is part of the LGBTQ community, was pleased that the Town Board took the action of honoring his people in June.

“I grew up in this town and as part of the LGBTQ community it was not an easy place to grow up [but] it’s nice to see that the town has evolved and it’s become much more diverse and accepting; it means a lot,” he said.

Caserto said many people are moving into Marlborough who are part of the LGBTQ community.

“There is a nice community that is building and people are accepting [them]. I think the more people who are respected the more it lifts everybody up; it’s a testament to the community and to everyone.”

Caserto said if Roe v Wade is struck down by the Supreme Court, there may be more actions taken against his community.

“There are a lot of legal protections that are based on the arguments of Roe v Wade and other rights, like sex marriage could be in jeopardy,” he said.

Caserto thanked the Town Board and the town, “for recognizing Pride and for flying the flag.” He pointed out that he gave the town an updated LGBTQ flag that now includes black and brown stripes, “for people of color and I believe trans people, to be more inclusive.”

The new flag is called the Progress Pride Flag that was designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018. Red represents life; Orange is for healing; Yellow means sunlight; Green depicts nature; Blue equals serenity; Purple is for spirit; Black & Brown for people of color and Pink, Baby Blue and White triangles represent Trans People.