From left to right: Councilwoman Stacy Mungo, Porter Gilberg of the LGBTQ Center and Mayor Robert Garcia help raise the LGBT Pride Flag. Photo by Stephanie Rivera.
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia raised the city’s LGBT pride flag Friday in celebration of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 vote in favor of same-sex marriage.
About 30 people gathered at Centennial Plaza outside Long Beach City Hall to watch the short ceremony which also featured Councilwoman Stacy Mungo and Porter Gilberg of the LGBTQ Center.
“I think we all have fought for so long for just the basic human right of being equal and free just like the rest of our neighbors and so today we really celebrate not just equality but what it really means to be American—which is to be free and to be equal,” Garcia said.
Garcia went on to remind those in attendance of the work that still needs to be done surrounding the LGBT community.
“It’s still true that 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT, it’s still true that LGBT seniors still face discrimination in housing, its still true that there’s not federal protections in the workplace for a lot of LGBT folks and there’s a lot of work to do, but we’re really going to celebrate this victory because it’s a victory for everyone,” he said.
“And for me personally to know that I can marry my partner and that would be as equal and as legal anywhere across the country is a really special day,” he added.
A rally in celebration of the ruling will take place Friday evening outside of City Hall.
All photos by Stephanie Rivera.
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