Mayor Ballantyne’s first Pride flag raising

The mayor spoke about LGBTQ progress in Somerville. She reflected on how Somerville supports gender and sexuality alliance clubs in schools to create safe inclusive spaces. She also plans on expanding new existing programs and piloting new community-based initiatives. She plans on funding a full-time LGBQ coordinator for the city.

“Oh, you know you want people to feel valued, you want residents to feel safe, and that their community supports them,” the mayor said when asked about the Somerville LGBTQ community.

After a brief pause. “Raising the Pride flag does that,” added Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.