Letters of Pride: Julie Engerran, Bennett Street
MyRye.com is publishing a series of letters of support for raising the Pride flag on City flagpoles. The letters were sent to the City ahead of the City Council voting to fly the flag, and are a matter of public record.
From: Julie Engerran
Subject: Support the Pride Flag
Date: April 19, 2021 at 9:50:51 AM EDT
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Cohn and members of the Rye City Council,
It is my understanding that the issue of whether to raise a Pride Flag at City Hall in observance of Pride Month in June is on the agenda for discussion at the April 21st meeting. The LGBTQ+ youth in Rye have made it known that this visible display of support in the community is important to them. I stand behind them.
Let me tell you why I know that this message of our collective support is important…
The mental health struggles of trans children and teens is REAL and one that impacts my extended family and close friends every day. I have seen the results of a community that DOES NOT stand up for their trans children, and the damage is immeasurable.
I have two trans nephews living in Texas… a state that just passed horrific anti-trans legislation. My childhood friend, along with her trans daughter, traveled to Austin to testify at a senate hearing against the proposed anti-trans legislation yet their pleas fell on deaf ears in Texas.
Raising a flag is such a simple way to show our support — but it’s bigger than that — it’s a sign of the direction our community will take when OUR kids need us to stand up for them.
Please do the right thing.
Julie Engerran
Bennett Street
