Galloway, N.J. – “The flag we raise today is more than fabric and color: it is a powerful symbol of visibility, of belonging and of hope. Each stripe represents lives, stories and identities that deserve to be seen, respected and celebrated. When we fly this flag, we send the message that everyone deserves the freedom to live authentically and with pride.”

Inspirational messages like Communication Studies major Jecce Harriott’s were on display during the annual LGBTQ+ History Month Flag Raising Ceremony, an enduring tradition on Stockton University’s campus that launched the start of a month-long campus celebration on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Prior to the rainbow flag being raised, several Stockton students, staff and alumni shared remarks encouraging students to amplify their voices and express their pride while honoring and acknowledging the trailblazers of the past.

Stockton President Joe Bertolino reaffirmed that the university will continue to provide spaces in which the LGBTQ+ community is “not just welcomed but celebrated.”

“LGBTQ+ pride has been part of Stockton’s history since its founding, and I am proud that this tradition of honoring and celebrating our queer community continues,” Bertolino said. “We raise this flag today in honor of those who came before us, those who fought through stigma, injustice and silence to create space for others to be seen and heard. And we raise it for those among us now who are still finding their voice, still finding community, still finding courage.”

Director of Residential Education Ellis Bonds is a 2015 alum of Stockton. He beamed as he revealed to the crowd that some of the same supporters who had embraced him as a student are still attending these ceremonies and programs, which gives him hope for the next generation.

“I'm proud to work here as a Black gay man, and about 10 years ago, I wasn't able to say that so confidently,” Bonds shared. “Stockton University was a huge part in me owning who I am as a person, my identity and everything that comes along with that. So, we're going to enjoy today, have an awesome time and then get ready to continue to work, because the work is never done.” 

Mico Lucide, a fellow 2015 alum, is currently the executive director of the Atlantic County Queer Alliance. Before that, though, Lucide was the former president of Pride Alliance from 2009 to 2011, during which he raised the rainbow flag for the very first time on Stockton’s campus, advocated for gender-inclusive housing and celebrated the opening of the Women’s Gender & Sexuality Center.

Lucide acknowledged the current climate and encouraged students not to lose hope, saying, “I need you all to understand that no matter what we see in the news or what we experience or are afraid of, our community has lived through worse. You are proof of that, and this event is proof that our community survives.”

Students Harriott and Daniela Contreras serve as presidents of the student organizations Pride Alliance and the Queer & Trans People of Color Society, respectively. Both students encouraged their peers to continue fighting for equality for all, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.

“While today is a celebration, it is also a reminder that our work is not yet finished,” Harriott said. “Inequality and discrimination still exist, and each of us has a role in ensuring that our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities are inclusive and safe for all people, regardless of who they love or how they identify. As we raise this flag together, let us honor and celebrate the past and the present, and commit ourselves to building a future where every person can thrive with dignity and joy.”

Contreras, who is in Stockton’s Business Dual Degree program, shared the same sentiments, adding, “We must demand more than just visibility. We demand safety, dignity and justice. As we come into LGBTQ+ History Month, let it be a reminder that our joy and existence are revolutionary, and we will continue to fight, to love and to build a world where every single person can live freely, fully and without fear.”

Once the flag was raised, the ceremony concluded with a reception in the Women’s Gender & Sexuality Center. 

– Story by Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Susan Allen 

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