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06/14/2022 01:57 PMIn an effort to help members of the LGBTQ community celebrate during pride month the Henry Carter Hull Library is hosting a pride flag making workshop open to all ages on Tuesday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The event, officially titled Our Flag Means Pride, is free, has no age limits, and requires no registration. Lyndsey Robinson, an assistant librarian at the library and one of the organizers of the event, said that the day will consist of flag decorating, games, music, and trivia all centered around LGBTQ history.
“We’ll be a space that people can come and be visible in. I think it’ll be a fun time and we’ve already has some people say they’re interested,” said Robinson.
While some nearby municipalities like Madison and Branford have had visible town-sponsored pride month celebrations in recent years, Clinton has not. Robinson said once she realized that Clinton had no such event, she became interested in possibly hosting one at the library.
Robinson said that she and Sarah Borgnis Tobin, the adult programming coordinator at the library, each independently came up with the idea to do an event for pride month and then collaborated to make one possible.
“So far, we’ve had really positive feedback. If the turnout is good, maybe next year we can even do something bigger,” said Robinson.
Beyond the fun, Robinson said that the event serves a more serious purpose. Robinson pointed to cases across the country of states instituting laws aimed at limiting rights of trans youth and certain books that contain LGBTQ themes being banned at some libraries and schools.
Robinson also said statistics show that LGBTQ youth are disproportionately affected by suicidal thoughts and violence.
“It’s important for people to know they have a space in this world and that the world is better with them here,” said Robinson.
Robinson grew up in Clinton and identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. Robinson said that she sees the event as a chance to give back to her hometown community and spread a message of acceptance.
“Growing up in Clinton specifically nobody really talked about it. But I think it’s gotten much better,” Robinson said of visible LGBTQ support along the shoreline.
“Ten years ago, it was really hard being LGBTQ around here. It’s important that youth especially knew the library is a space for everyone,” said Robinson. “Even for people my age. Growing up here, I didn’t know many LGBTQ people older than myself.
“It’s important [that] everyone know they’re welcome to come to this event and be who they are,” she continued.
Robinson said that beyond the interest she’s gotten from potential attendees, the library has been very supportive of the event and so far, there have been no incidents of negative feedback.
“I’m excited we were able to do something and hopefully it goes well and maybe one day we can even partner with the town to do something,” said Robinson.