In honor of Gay Pride month the community joined Massport, state and city officials in raising the Gay Pride Rainbow Flag at Piers Park last Friday to show East Boston’s continuing support for the LGBTQ+ community.
For the first time in the annual flag raising’s history the community was joined by the CEO of Massport.
Massport CEO Lisa Wieland kicked off the event saying it was an honor for her to take part in the annual event.
“I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to participate in tonight’s 9th Annual Pride Flag Raising ceremony,” said Wieland. “As we all know, East Boston is one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods and we know that East Boston strives to be inclusive and welcoming to all and the flag here is just one symbol of that. We at Massport also strive to be diverse and inclusive and so we raise the flag not just here at Piers Park but we also raise the flag at all of our facilities at Logan Airport, at our airports in Worcester and Hanscom and also at our facilities in South Boston. So thank you again for coming out to support the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate June as Pride Month.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Eastie’s former Mayoral Liaison Jesus Garcia Mota who was honored by the state and city officials present at the event.
“It feels weird to now be on the other side and receiving citations,” Mota said. “I really wasn’t expecting to do this but being with this group from East Boston it feels like we are family because that is what we are in this neighborhood, family.”
Mota said he considers himself a very lucky person who came to the US from Mexico City in 2009 and was fortunate in 2014 to find such a welcoming, diverse, accepting and special neighborhood.
“I was born and raised in Mexico City and came here looking for a professional opportunity and worked in the Mexican consulate,” he said. “Then in 2014 I moved to East Boston and realized this was a very, very, very special neighborhood. I love it. I love everything about it. I have the privilege to say that we have people from every part of the world and this is what I was looking for when I moved to the United States. I was looking to embrace the richness of the United States and found a place that embraces all the cultures and all the people from around the world.”
Mota said being a member of the LGBTQ+ community he was a very lucky person that he found acceptance from his family.
“I grew up in a country that not necessarily supports gay people,” said Mota. “I was very lucky to have my family’s support from the beginning. I remember perfectly when I came out to my family I was super nervous. I was expecting that they were going to kick me out of the house. They’re going to tell me that this is not what they expected from me.”
Mota continued, “All of us sat together at the table and I started crying. I remember because I was super nervous and it was one of the worst feelings that I ever had. My sister calmed me down, held my hand and she said, “Jesus, relax. We already know” and then my father said he knew and loved and supported me and wanted to make sure I knew that I’d always have their love and support.”
Mota said at that moment his fear was turned into the most amazing feeling he ever had in his life.
“I think I’m a very lucky person for that because not every gay person has that experience when they come out,” he said. “So I think the message I want to deliver is that there are so many kids out there who don’t have the same support I had from their family. But in neighborhoods like East Boston you can find support from the community, from a teacher, from a friend, from someone. There are so many other people out there that will support you no matter what so just be yourself and if you need help or support just approach someone. Remember that Pride is about being your authentic self and celebrating everyone in the LGBTQ+ community all the time and not just for this one month. I love you all and thank you so much for your support.”