SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Pride flag is flying outside Santa Barbara City Hall for the first time, marking the start of the city's Pride Week.
The City of Santa Barbara held its first-ever Pride Flag Raising Ceremony Monday at De La Guerra Plaza, bringing together city leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates, families and community members.
The ceremony was held in partnership with Pacific Pride Foundation, PFLAG Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network, YouthWell and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.
Organizers say the flag represents inclusion, equality, visibility and support for LGBTQ+ residents across the community.
“Members of the LGBTQ+ community tell me this is more than just a symbolic gesture. It's a way of making people feel included in Santa Barbara,” News Channel reporter Mina Wahab said.
For Phillip Conrad of Goleta, the flag sends an important message to young people.
“To send a message to young people that they are safe, that they're valued, that they can be authentically who they are.”
Community member Bob Nieder said the visibility is especially important amid what he described as threats facing transgender people.
“People are physically in danger. I mean, there are trans people being attacked every day. It's important for us to stand.”
Erin Poletti of Santa Barbara said the involvement of LGBTQ+ community members in organizing the ceremony made the moment feel especially meaningful.
“There was, like, the LGBTQ community actually involved with setting all of this up. And so it is not lip service. It actually does feel like a step in the right direction.”
Santa Barbara District 1 Councilmember Wendy Santa Maria, who identifies as queer, said watching the flag go up was an emotional experience.
“Honestly, made me tear up a little bit. To be a young queer council member and to see this Pride flag raised and at the same time as our Pride Festival, I think it's sending out a very clear signal to our queer youth and elders and everybody in between.”
Santa Maria said the ceremony sends a message that LGBTQ+ residents are an important part of the city.
“This is your city. You belong here. You have every reason to expect representation of you in your local government. So it's just—it's such a joyous moment.”
The flag raising officially kicked off Pride Week in Santa Barbara, with local organizations continuing events throughout the week celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and promoting acceptance and equality.
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