AFTER TRUMP’S CRUSADE AGAINST LGBTQ COMMUNITY, SCHUMER MOVES TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT STONEWALL PRIDE FLAG; PLAN WOULD BYPASS TRUMP ADMIN TO DEFEND LGBTQ FLAG FOREVER AT[...]

Attempts To Hurt New York & Pride Community Won't Fly- But Stonewall Flag Sure Will; Legislation With Rep. Dan Goldman And Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Would Codify Flag In Federal Law, Preventing Admin From Laying A Finger On It

Schumer: Stonewall Is Sacred Ground, Congress Must Act Now To Permanently Protect The Pride Flag And What It Stands For In Law Once And For All

New York, N.Y. - Today, Senator Charles Schumer stood with local leaders following the Trump administration's outrageous directive to remove the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument. He said the removal of the Pride flag from Stonewall National Monument, the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, is a deeply outrageous action that must be reversed. In the wake of the Trump administration's attempt to rewrite history, stoke division and discrimination, and erase LGBTQ+ community pride, Schumer moved to permanently protect the Pride flag from the administration's crusade against the LGBTQ+ community.

The Trump administration continued its assault on the LGBTQ+ community earlier this week with the removal of the historic pride flag from the Stonewall Monument in New York, citing a directive that it is not a congressionally authorized flag. Today, Schumer moved to right that wrong by putting forth legislation that designates the Pride flag as an authorized flag, as well as express a sense of the Senate that the Pride flag should fly at the Stonewall National Monument.

"Stonewall has stood as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community - a reminder of the resilience and perseverance of those before us who fought for the rights they deserve. Stonewall is sacred ground and Congress must act now to permanently protect the Pride flag and what it stands for," said Senator Schumer. "Trump's hateful crusade must end. The very core of American identity is liberty and justice for all - and that is what this legislation would protect: each national park's ability to make their own decision about what flag can be flown. Attempts to hurt New York and the LGTBQ+ community simply won't fly, but the Stonewall Pride flag always will."

"Stonewall is a landmark because it is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and symbols of that legacy belong here by both history and principle. New Yorkers are right to be outraged, but if there's one thing I know about this latest attempt to rewrite history, stoke division and discrimination, and erase our community pride it's this: New Yorkers will see to the flag's return and we will ensure it remains," Schumer added.

"Last week, Pride flew again at Stonewall because our community refused to be diminished. Now, Senator Schumer and Representative Dan Goldman are taking the next critical step to ensure it won't be removed ever again," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "Authorizing the Pride flag in federal law is about more than symbolism, it's about permanence. It sends a clear message that LGBTQ+ history is not subject to political whims and that our visibility cannot be stripped away. Civil rights landmarks should not be vulnerable to shifting administrations. This legislation protects our legacy, our dignity, and the generations who will look to Stonewall as proof that progress, once won, must be defended."

"When the Trump administration took down our flag, the community rose together and put it back," said Assemblymember Tony Simone. "I am thankful for Senator Schumer and Representative Goldman for providing strong leadership in DC that sends the signal, LGBTQ history must always be remembered and any attempt to roll back progress will be met with all our strength."

The Pride flag represents generations of Americans who fought to be seen, heard, and protected under our nation's promise of liberty. HRC is working toward a future where our children feel just as safe surrounded by the American flag as they do by Pride flags. With Senator Schumer's leadership, that work begins anew today. This is not about politics or identities - it's about ensuring our history fully reflects who we are as a country," said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

"Our history and legacy cannot be erased," said Matthew Bernardo, President of Housing Works. "We are indebted to the leaders of the LGBTQ liberation movement who along with leaders of the Civil Rights movement paved the way for AIDS activists to speak truth to power and save lives. The flag is a symbol of all we have endured and the real work we continue to do every day in our clinics, through our programs, and in the streets."

"The Gilbert Baker Foundation would like to express our sincere gratitude to Senator Schumer for creating legislation asking for congressional recognition for the rainbow flag," said Kenn Kid of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. "When Gilbert created the rainbow flag in 1978, he made it for "all sexes, all genders, all races, all ages." He called it 'the rainbow of humanity.' It is reassuring to know that our elected officials in New York support the idea that hope is for everyone, and that inclusion is a bedrock of our democracy."

Schumer has been a strong voice for the LGBTQ+ community. Just last week, Senator Schumer, along with Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY), wrote to Secretary Burgum slamming the Trump administration's decision to remove the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument and calling for its immediate restoration. During Pride month last year, Schumer slammed the Trump administration for targeting LGBTQ+ Americans with cruel cuts to programs used to diagnose, treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, and called on RFK Jr. to reverse billions in cuts. Additionally, Schumer fought hard to pass the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which provided federal protections for same-sex marriage. The legislation was signed into Law by President Biden in 2022.

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