Sacred Cloth Unfurling National Coming Out Day Recognition October 9th, 2024 Bellows Falls, VT

Bellows Falls VT) A proclamation from Vermont Governor Philip B. Scott and greetings from the Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will be included in opening remarks on Wednesday, October 9, 10am to recognize National Coming Out Day, which brings awareness for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The annual remembrance, which officially takes place on October 11, encourages people identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other members of the LGBTQ+ community to “come out of the closet,” which is a metaphor the community has used to mean recognizing and revealing one’s authentic self.

Bellows Falls Pride will unfurl the historic 14’ x 25’ Sacred Cloth, aka Section 93, of the original Key West Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag created by Gilbert Baker, from the top of the Windham Hotel which was formerly the site of the iconic Andrews Inn in downtown Bellows Falls, Vermont. Mark Ebenhoch of Key West and Brattleboro manages stewardship of the Sacred Cloth throughout the country and has brought it to Bellows Falls. The public is welcome to witness this unique opportunity.

Speakers include Commissioner Beth Fastiggi, Vermont Dept of Human Resources, who will present the Governor’s National Coming Out Day proclamation to Bellows Falls Pride; Ethan Avendano-Lawrence, Outreach Representative from the office of Senator Sanders; Thomas Renner, Deputy Mayor of Winooski, whose platform as a candidate for Lt. Governor included a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ inclusion; Senator Wendy Harrison, Windham District, 2023-present; and Thom Herman, co-owner of the Andrews Inn from 1979-1984.