The City of Delta hosted its annual Progress Pride flag raising ceremony at City Hall today in celebration of Pride Month signaling that everyone is welcome in Delta.
Mayor George V. Harvie and Delta Council were joined by City Manager Donny van Dyk and community partners from the Delta Pride Society and Delta School District. The City of Delta’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee, members of the public, and staff also participated in this important ceremony.
Pride month, observed annually in June, is a time to recognize, appreciate, and honour the courage and resilience of Delta’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities. This is the sixth consecutive year that the City of Delta has held a Pride Flag raising ceremony to show its support and stand in solidarity with our 2SLGBTQ+ residents, friends, and allies; acknowledging that while progress has been made, 2SLGBTQ+ community members continue to face discrimination every day.
Delta Pride Society expressed their appreciation, “We are so grateful to Mayor Harvie, Council, and the City of Delta for inviting Delta Pride Society to participate in the raising of the Progress Flag today at City Hall. Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots – one of the first uprisings to achieve equal justice, opportunity, and human rights for the Pride community. Raising or displaying a Pride flag is a sign of solidarity, inclusion, and support of our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Delta Pride Society reaffirms our commitment to support, encourage, uplift, and advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies. Allyship isn’t passive, but active and we encourage everyone to join us in this commitment to listen, learn, and step into greater education, understanding, and empathy for truly all.”
Mayor Harvie expressed his support, stating, “It is important for us to recognize the significance of the Progress Pride Flag and its colours and symbols, which incorporates the Transgender Flag colours and the colours of marginalized communities within the 2SLGBTQ+ spectrum. In raising the Progress Pride flag at City Hall we offer a strong, visible reminder that the fight for equality remains and that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, to be accepted and included, to be heard and valued, and to celebrate who they are, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
In June, Delta will launch a new social media campaign encouraging Delta residents to “Be A 2SLGBTQ+ Ally”. This campaign is a community call to take action to support and educate themselves about, and speak out and advocate for Delta’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It will highlight the importance of allyship and encourage community members to comment on our City social media posts about what being a 2SLGBTQ+ ally means to them. Residents can also show their support by wearing an ally rainbow button pin, available at Delta’s recreation centres and libraries, while supplies last.
Mayor Harvie added, “Allies are essential. Our 2SLGBTQ+ community need allies now more than ever to stand behind and stand with them—not only during Pride celebrations but all year long. It’s about remaining committed, pairing action with words, and taking steps to always strive for a stronger, more diverse community, recognizing that there will always be more steps to take.”
In addition to the Progress Pride Flag raising and social media campaign, Delta’s rainbow street banners will return for the month of June. These banners, placed at community entrances, signal that no matter how you identify or whom you love, everyone is welcome in Delta.
The Progress Pride Flag and Delta’s rainbow street banners will continue to fly at City Hall and across Delta throughout the entire month of June.