As the sun set in Irvine on Monday evening, a progress pride flag was hoisted in front of City Hall, with the OC Gay Men’s Chorus performing a set that included “Follow Your Arrow,” “Rainbow” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”
The flag, with the rainbow as a base and a chevron print of black, white, light blue, pink and brown, will remain flying in front of City Hall all through Pride Month in June.
The CIty of Irvine holds their Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. The event featured the raising of the Progress flag and a performance of the Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Dan Wells of Irvine writes his wedding date on a heart adorning the walkway in the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. The City of Irvine held a Irvine Pride event featuring the raising of the Progress flag. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
City of Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan addresses those in attendance at the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Hearts adorn the steps leading to the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. The City of Irvine held an Irvine Pride event feature the raising of the Progress flag. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine Pride event attendees work on crafts at the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano, right, has her face painted by Jada Ulep at the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. Halverson is the pastor of the Irvine United Congregational church. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Olga Efimova, left, and Anna Goriacheva hold the lesbian flag as they share a kiss at the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Officials raise the Progress flag during the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. OC Supervisor Katrina Foley, center, was among the officials. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus perform at the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Susan Settarova, left, and Farida Rakhimova of Irvine attend the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Officials get ready to raise the progress flag for the Irvine Pride event at the Civic Center Piazza in Irvine on Monday, May 22, 2023. Officials include Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, Councilmember Larry Agran, OC Supervisor Katrina Foley, and Councilmember Kathleen Treseder from center left. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A symbol of the intersectionality of the LGBTQ community, the flying of the flag recognizes two important milestones in the gay rights movement: the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in 2015 and the beginning of the 1969 police raid and riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a pivotal turning point. In a growing trend, it will be flown at government facilities in several Orange County cities in June.
Irvine’s pride event marked the May 22 birthday of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected in California. Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977 to 1978.
“Today is a matter of standing with our LGBTQ+ community and making sure that they know that we will stand against hate of any form and that we are with them,” Mayor Farrah Khan told the crowd.
The event was attended by members of the OC Equality Coalition, OC Human Relations, LGBTQ Center OC, Radiant Health Centers, Irvine Valley College Pride Scholars, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Orange County Pride, Irvine Police Department – LGBTQ+ Liaisons, LGBTQ+ Liaison/City Booth and Shanti OC.
OC Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley call the flying of the pride flag a “powerful gesture” as she presented the city a certificate of recognition from the county Board of Supervisors.
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