NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones on Thursday proclaimed June as Pride Month in the city.
The city joins municipalities across the country in recognizing June as Pride Month.
The proclamation states Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) citizens have played a role in Newport News' diversity.
"Members of the LGBTQ communities make their voices heard, continue to fight for equality and legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and reproductive health services on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity," the proclamation reads.
This June, Hampton Roads Pride will host its 26th annual summertime festivals to support the LGBTQIA+ community. For the first time ever, Newport News will be included in the Pride On The Peninsula series.
"The I Am What I Am (IAWIA) Pride Festival will be presented by Tradition Brewing Co. and Hampton Roads Pride, in partnership with The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity, as the kick-off event to Pride on the Peninsula," for rthe very first time.
"It's the best start to Pride month anyone can ask for," said Cory Moreno, who is on the Hampton Roads Pride Board of Directors.
Moreno says he's celebrating what he calls a sweet taste of victory after he sent in two proclamations to Mayor Jones to have a groundbreaking initiative to celebrate the LGBTQIA+.
This comes just days before the city's first pride festival.
News 3's Kelsey Jones spoke with Mayor Jones about the proclamation. Mayor Jones said this is about change and recognizing that more can be done to create a more welcoming city.
"There's no gay bars around here, there's no guaranteed space for the LGBTQ here, and if we can't have a space, can we have a celebration?" said Moreno.
Tradition Brewing Company business leaders say they expect hundreds of people to rally together to celebrate pride on June 4
"Newport News is kind of that odd place that's between Williamsburg and Norfolk, and we kind of get overlooked sometimes, so we wanted to do a big party and be inclusive of everybody," said Michelle Hanson, Tradition Brewing Company manager.
Hanson said it is important to have a pride fest at her business because the climate feels different this year, as some southern states have enacted bans against the LGBTQ community.
"We're really trying to be very inclusive of all of our community," said Hanson.
Hanson says the top-notch celebration is a heavy lift, that's leading them to bring on extra staff and volunteers.
"We have a lot of musicians coming out. We have BJ Griffin, we have Rachel and the Jellycats, and we have a drag show going on. On top of that, we have like 4 food trucks, and we have up to 40 vendors that will be here that day as well" said Hanson.
"I think this is just the beginning and I think spreading love is the only way that we can really really fight" said Moreno.
Mayor Jones also tells News 3 that another pride event will be held June 10th in Hilton Village.
