Pride flag flies over Winooski

Photo by Jacqueline Posley

Winooski officials raised the Progress Pride flag over Rotary Park, representing an ongoing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community to support and advocate for them, according to a press release by the city.

Mayor Kristine Lott was joined by Representative Taylor Small and Councilor Bryn Oakleaf at the flag raising, voicing their support and acknowledgement of future commitments to the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Now we are at a place where we have unapologetic queer and trans leadership making change in our state house, making change right here in Winooski, and changing the laws that made it illegal to exist and be free, to change and make sure that everyone is welcome, not only in our city but in our state,” said Rep. Small in a speech before the raising of the flag.

Small became Vermont’s first openly trans lawmaker in the Nov. 2020 election.

Winooski representatives Small and Hal Colston recently sponsored a bill that aims to address disparities and promote equity in the healthcare system. The bill follows a report done by the Vermont Department of Health which found that there are barriers to the equal enjoyment of good health based on race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status.

“Raising the pride flag is a symbol of support and awareness, for the resiliency of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors who continue to fight for justice and equity,” said Lott before the flag raising.“It brings visibility to their community, and to our commitment as a city to equity for all of our residents.”

Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage as a result of legislation rather than through a court case, and more recently Vermont has banned the “panic defense” from being used in cases of violence against LGBTQIA+ victims as of July 1.

The defense is a legal strategy that asks a jury to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for a defendant’s violent reaction, according to the LGBT bar.