Plainfield to hold LGBT flag day to reflect on Orlando massacre

PLAINFIELD - A flag will be raised at City Hall on Thursday to honor the LGBT community in the city.

The event will take place at City Hall Plaza, 515 Watchung Ave., at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by Council President and at-large Councilwoman Rebecca Williams and is being co-sponsored by the city council and the administration.

"In the shadow of the one-year anniversary of the massacre in Orlando, I think it's important for us to come together to celebrate the great strides we have made as part of the LGBT community in Plainfield and the U.S.," said Williams, who is the only openly gay member of the city council.

"It is fitting that we reflect upon the struggle for equality that continues, and are mindful that the LGBT community is still under attack in many corners of the U.S., whether through legislative means, through job discrimination, through poverty, through lack of health care, and through vicious physical attacks and murder," she added.

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Mayor Adrian Mapp said the city is proud of the city's inclusive community.

"As we continue to grow, our city it is important that we send a message that there is no place for intolerance, hatred or discrimination of any kind," he said. "Plainfield has always celebrated our diversity, and we are proud of our inclusiveness which is a model for American freedom. I am pleased to celebrate this event with our LGBT community.”

On Saturday, Carteret hosted its first LGBT flag day when community members gathered at the borough's Memorial Municipal Building for a special flag-raising ceremony led by Mayor Daniel Reiman with the Carteret High School's Pathways Gay and Sexuality Alliance group.

The ceremony included a reading by poet and Carteret High School alum and GSA founding member Alissa Radford, according to a news release. People left inspirational message of love and acceptance on the GSA message board, and current GSA members presented a piece of original art work to the mayor that they dedicated to Carteret. The artwork is on display at Borough Hall outside of the mayor's office for the pubic to view.

In Plainfield on Thursday, the Rev. Damaris Ortega of United Congregational Church will deliver the invocation, followed by resolutions and proclamations, words from members and allies of the LGBT community in Plainfield, and the flag raising. The public is invited.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com