Gay Pride flag raised at Court Square

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A crowd has gathered at Springfield City Hall Thursday for the second-annual Gay Pride flag raising ceremony.

Mayor Domenic Sarno declared June 2012 Gay Pride Month in the city.

Members of the Springfield, Mass. Pride Committee told 22News that this is a victory for the gay community. Nelson Roman of Holyoke said he is very happy to have the support of local leaders.

"It's really just amazing to feel like I have a safe space, I have a place that's comfortable knowing that there's individuals, elected officials and a place for me to feel out and proud and Latino and gay. So it's a really amazing event, it really means a lot to me," Roman said.

The Pride Committee will be holding events all week long. For a complete list of events, locations, and times, log on to springfieldmasspride.org.

The flag will fly outside of City Hall for 8 days.