Ramsey 'no flag' event celebrates Pride Month, protests borough's policy

RAMSEY — A "no flag" event at the Main Street train station Tuesday celebrated Pride Month and protested the borough's refusal to fly the rainbow flag on municipal property.

The event celebrated the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots on June 28, the start of the gay rights movement.  

Speeches, a performance of "Over the Rainbow" by The Ram Jams, Ramsey High School's a cappella group, and lots of rainbow flags marked the first Ramsey LGBTQ Pride Month ceremony.

The crowd of about 100 listened closely as transgender person Avery Hering, 21, and his mother movingly spoke of his struggles. 

Overall, the mood of the crowd was positive, but consensus among the attendees was disappointment with the borough for not allowing the pride flag to fly on public property. 

Ramsey approved a proclamation for Pride Month and allowed ribbons on downtown flagpoles. However, Mayor Deirdre Dillon said the borough has a policy not to fly flags other than the U.S and state flags on borough property. She said officials also want to avoid a "public forum" precedent that would open the borough up to requests from other interest groups to fly their flags.

"While we were disappointed in the mayor's decision to not fly a flag at Borough Hall, we have seen an overwhelming response from the community in support of activities that recognize Pride Month," resident Jennifer Crandall said. "More than 79 Ramsey residents placed LGBTQ lawn stake signs, banners and flags on their own properties."

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Crandall said merchants along Main Street were displaying pride posters and flags.

She also created a petition to encourage Ramsey mayor and Borough Council to fly the pride flag or banner on town property to mark LGBTQ Pride Month. As of Wednesday, the petition had 1,500 signatures.

"We have many LGBTQ residents in Ramsey and it is important to show these residents that Ramsey recognizes the human rights of ALL individuals and rejects acts of prejudice, hatred, discrimination and violence against any person for any reason," reads the petition.

Staff Photojournalist Amy Newman contributed to this article.