The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted the 4th annual Roosevelt Island Pride Flag raising ceremony Monday morning, June 1.
According to RIOC Assistant Vice President Communications & Government Affairs Bryant Daniels:
It’s a pleasure to see everybody here today…. It feels like every time we do this, we have really incredible weather and it’s really beautiful and it’s I think the universe is smiling down on us and telling us that this is a really important and awesome thing to be doing.
I just want to thank everyone for coming today. Pride Month is a celebration and a reminder. We are celebrating the progress that’s been made and we’re also recognizing the work of building a more inclusive and accepting society continues here on Roosevelt Island, which is, I think, an incredibly inclusive and incredibly accepting community by default. And the fact that we have now done this event four years in a row, it’s always been well attended. It’s always been something that’s celebrated here really speaks to the community just how wonderful and and loving everybody here really is…
Also, from RIOC President BJ Jones:
Roosevelt Island is a community that believes in respect, inclusion, and showing support to people from all walks of life. I also want to thank our partners at RIVAA Gallery, which has consistently helped give voice to the LGBTQ plus community through art, expression, and public programming here on the island.
And I especially want to recognize Thom Heyer and Penny Gold who first approached RIOC back in 2023 about creating a visible show of support and solidarity for this community. It’s nice that a conversation that started four years ago has turned into an annual tradition. Thank you.
And as part of that tradition, tonight the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse and the Girl Puzzle Monument will be illuminated in Pride colors, and they will remain lit through the month of June. They’ll serve as visible reminders that everyone deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and respected here on Roosevelt Island. I encourage everyone to take a walk up there during this month. It’s really going to be quite beautiful and inspiring
Roosevelt Island residents Thom Heyer:
… Symbols do really really matter to me. And the fact that you guys allow this symbol to be seen, it lets me know as a queer humanoid that you’ve got my back here. And and I think that’s really important in our community….
and Penny Gold:
… The {RIVAA} Gallery is having a a Pride exhibit and the theme of this year is our flag is still here.
It’s basically a reminder that while there are all kinds of forces in this country and are all over the place trying to erase LGBTQ people, trying to erase us, trying to make us disappear from public life, we’re saying we’re still here. Our flag is still here. We’re still here.
Whether you like it or not, we’re still here. And I feel like my existence is visibility, I’m proud of my visibility all year round ….
… Thank you RIOC for putting it up and showing our community that you guys stand with us and because there are still people even on this Island who try to remove Rainbow Posters trying to erase, remove the existence of LGBTQ pride on the island. So thank you for standing up for us and with us and thank you everybody for being here.
RIOC Public Safety Department Inspector Estrella Suarez:
… One thing I can say is I landed on the right plane right here on this rock. Since day one, I’ve never felt different because I’m not different. I’m just gay, happy every day. I have a small message to the ignorant community. You are much larger than my community. We are smaller, but we’re smarter and we’re stronger.
We’ve been fighting for our place in society for a long time and we will continue. We’re not an illness. Gay is not an illness. Therefore, there’s no cure. Ignorance is an illness. You’re pretty much screwed. We belong here. We’re going to remain here for the generations to come….
The Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery is hosting a Poetry Workshop and Fashion Show in Celebration of Gay Pride Month on Friday June 5. All are invited to attend.