SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) —

Outside City Hall, a group gathered for the annual raising of the pride flag and celebrate the start of Pride Month on Monday.

“It’s one of my favorite things that we do here, said Jessica Rothchild, Scranton City Council and Pride Committee member. “It’s a great way to celebrate our city’s LGBTQ community and bring people together to recognize the start of pride month.”

It’s the eighth year they’ve raised it for June, the crowd getting bigger each year.

Decked out in rainbows and tie dye, the group listened to speakers ranging from Mayor Paige Cognetti, heads of different local LGBTQ organizations, and local queer artists and poets. The main themes: A celebration of their ability to openly love who they want, the importance of protecting and representing the community, and a remembrance of all the activists and leaders that fought for a more open and accepting world.

“We need to remember that pride is about not just the celebration,” said Eastern PA Trans Equity Project executive director and speaker Corinne Goodwin. “It’s about standing up and putting our arms around our people. It’s about standing up and going to Harrisburg and telling people what we want and what we demand. It’s about coming here to City Hall and making sure that our electeds continue to support us the way that we deserve to be, because we deserve everything that the American dream is about. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Rothchild said that a rise of anti-LGBTQ sentiment and what many speakers see as increased queer hostility from the Trump administration, means events like these are even more important than ever.

Rothchild continued, “I’ve seen over the years people become more emboldened in their hatred and their bigotry which is really sad but all the more reason that we need to be here and doing things like this to show that we’re going to stand up against hatred and we’re not going away.”

In general, it was a time for the community to be proud of their pride and reinforce the love and support they have for one another.

Pride month starts on Monday, with events around the city and NEPA planned all month long.