Boynton Beach LGBTQ Progress Pride Intersection Ribbon Cutting on June 7

 

On Monday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m., Boynton Beach Mayor Steven Grant and City Commissioners will cut the ribbon to dedicate the city's newest memorial -- the Pride Intersection.

Image courtesy of the City of Boynton Beach

The street art, based on the Progress Pride Flag, is located at the intersection of East Ocean Avenue and 1st Street SE at the end of the city's Town Square. The Progress Pride Flag adds a five-colored chevron to the iconic six-color Rainbow Pride Flag .The chevron emphasizes inclusion and progression, as the additional colors -- black, brown, light blue, pink, and white -- represent people of color, trans and non-binary individuals, and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Last fall, at the request of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) ,City Commissioner Ty Penserga asked his colleagues to consider a public art installation to honor the city's LGBTQ community. PBCHRC is Florida’s oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The organization's second president, Norman Aaron, was a resident of Boynton Beach

Following a review of several designs created by city staff, the City Commission approved the Progress Pride design which will be dedicated on Monday.

"By highlighting the LGBTQ streetscape at the entrance to Town Square and downtown Boynton Beach, city officials are proudly letting LGBTQ people know that we recognize you, we stand with you, and we are all part of the fabric that strengthens Boynton Beach," said Penserga, who is Boynton Beach's first openly gay elected official. "We are sending a clear the message -- especially to our younger LGBTQ residents -- that everyone is welcome in Boynton Beach and that our community supports you."

"We thank Mayor Grant and the City Commissioners, as well as city staff, for creating this amazing monument to the city's LGBTQ community." said PBCHRC President and Founder Rand Hoch. "Over the past thirty years, the LGBTQ community in Boynton Beach has gone from being nearly invisible, to being tolerated, to being acknowledged, to being granted equal rights and benefits, to having our families recognized, and now, to having the diversity of the LGBTQ community publically celebrated," said Hoch. "That is quite an achievement."