Norwich — The Pride flag was raised Tuesday at the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard at City Hall.

J.D., who owns Antenna Salon at 190 W. Town St., Linda Calabro and Paul J. Doyle, pastor of Park Congregational Church, had the honor of raising the banner.

The event, coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and co-sponsored by Reliance Health and Global City Norwich, was the first-ever raising of the Pride flag at City Hall. Speakers included J.D., Doyle and Mayor Peter Nystrom.

June is Pride Month to recognize and celebrate the history of LGBTQ+ people. The Stonewall Riots were protests and demonstrations held by LGBTQ+ communities following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn gay bar in Greenwich Village of New York City, on June 28, 1969. Today, the event is recognized as the start of the gay rights movement.