Pride flag raised at California state Capitol for the first time

California began flying the pride flag over the state Capitol on Monday for the first time in the state’s history. 

“For the first time ever, the Pride flag has been raised at the State Capitol! In California, we celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community’s right to live their loves out loud,” the governor’s office tweeted.

For the first time ever, the Pride flag has been raised at the State Capitol!

In California, we celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community’s right to live their loves out loud.
#CaliforniaForAll #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/VU5GLqGDUh

— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) June 17, 2019

California joined Colorado and Wisconsin in raising the pride flag this year for the first time, according to a news release. The flag will remain raised for the remainder of LGBTQ Pride Month, until July 1. 

The decision follows several embassies flying pride flags despite the State Department reportedly rejecting requests to do so. 

“In California, we celebrate and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community’s right to live out loud — during Pride month and every month,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a release.{mosads}

“By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love,” he said. 

This is the first time California is flying the rainbow flag on the flag pole; the state has previously hung the flag over the Capitol’s balconies and lit up the Capitol dome, according to the release. 

This June also marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, often seen as the launch of the LGBTQ rights movement.  

New York also flew the LGBTQ pride flag over its Capitol for the first time earlier this month. 

On Friday, Four Freedoms State Park on New York City’s Roosevelt Island will be home to the city’s “largest LGBTQ Pride Flag.” The 12-foot-by-100-foot flag will lay on the steps to the park.