LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, LGBTQ+ ADVOCATES RECOGNIZE TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY WITH HISTORIC FLAG RAISING

(HARTFORD, CT) - Today, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, joined by state legislators and LGBTQ+ advocates, recognized International Transgender Day of Visibility with a press conference and historic flag raising. Today marked the first time in Connecticut state history that the Transgender Pride flag was flown over the Connecticut State Capitol.  

“Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, we raised the Trans Pride Flag to fly over the Connecticut State Capitol for the first time in Connecticut state history. Now more than ever, it’s important to celebrate and recognize the many contributions the transgender and gender non-conforming community have made,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “As we see trans rights under attack nationwide and anti-trans legislation being ushered through in countless states, I have a clear message to the trans community: we see you, we love you, we won’t stop fighting for you, and you will always have a home in Connecticut.” 
 
“The people of Connecticut have made our state a national symbol for equality and compassion, where people are universally valued and welcomed. The raising of the Trans Pride flag isn’t a substitute for strong legislation or legal protections, but is a powerful message that the work being done in the Capitol beneath it is in service to everyone, without exception,” said Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell. “I sincerely hope that trans individuals across the state view this as a sign of solidarity amidst the pervasive hateful rhetoric across the nation and as an invitation to actively participate in shaping our laws to align with our shared values.” 

“The trans community – a people who have existed and have been celebrated throughout humankind’s existence – lead the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, activism and visibility,” said Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchester). “Today is meant to honor that fight and commemorate our friends and family to raise awareness for the challenges the trans community continues to face, despite decades of progress coupled with fear and ignorance of the unknown. I am honored to see the trans flag flying proudly – for the first time in our state’s history – over the Capitol today, and although our work is far from over, I want to thank the trans community and all those under the umbrella of acceptance for all of the sacrifices they have made, to make our community and our world a more loving place.” 

“As the second openly transgender Black man elected in the United States and the first openly transgender man elected in Connecticut, this flag raising is of tremendous importance to me,” said New Haven Alder Devin Avshalom-Smith. “It has both symbolic and sentimental value because the ability to live my life with dignity and protected human rights, lies largely in the hands of CT’s lawmakers. I am proud to be able to say that my community is respected and celebrated by individuals such as Gov. Lamont, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz, and many legislators.” 

“A Transgender Day of Visibility and Awareness is both a celebration and a solemn reminder. Trans people remind us that bigotry is alive and well in this country. Trans women remind us that misogyny, in all of its forms, is alive and well in this state. And Trans black women remind us that the AIDS crisis is not over for all of us. We cannot continue to use Trans people as “hate detectors” to determine that our collective house is burning and we must do something about it,” said Steven Hernández, Esq., Executive Director, Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity. 

March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual event that focuses on the lives of transgender people and the issues they face.