ST. THOMAS – Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. announced today that the Progress Pride flag will fly at all Senate buildings across the territory this month, in recognition of Pride month.
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“This historic action affirms the Legislature’s commitment to inclusion for all Virgin Islanders, regardless of how they identify,” Francis stated. “The Pride Flag is a visible reminder that the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands is committed to respect and support our LGBTQ+ Community.”
The Progress Pride flag varies from the traditional six-stripe rainbow flag by adding a chevron design with the colors black, brown, light blue, pink and white to symbolize other marginalized communities. The Progress Pride flag is currently being flown by the legislature buildings on St. Thomas and St. Croix, however the flag was absent from the building on St. John as of this report.
Pride Month is recognized annually during the month of June to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The month of celebration was born from a violent clash between police and members of the LGBTQ+ community known as The Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, police in New York City raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village known as a gathering place for members of the LGBTQ+ community. This prompted six days of protests throughout the neighborhood, and catapulted the gay rights movement to the forefront of political discourse.
