Jersey City Repaints Progressive Pride Flag Crosswalk in Front of City Hall

JERSEY CITY, NJ- The Progressive Pride Flag at the crosswalk adjacent to Jersey City City Hall at the intersection of Grove Street and Mercer Street was repainted in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Jersey City.

Mayor Steven Fulop’s LGBTQ+ Task Force hosted the crosswalk repainting on Wednesday, July 17, ahead of the City’s Pride celebrations in August. While Pride Month is celebrated nationally in June, Jersey City hosts its celebrations later in the summer because that’s when the City began celebrating it before June was recognized as such.

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Before the crosswalk painting and outside activities commenced, a ceremony was held in the Council Chambers recognizing and highlighting members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The indoor event, which indluded a dance performance, was led by Master of Ceremonies Jeana F. Abuan, the Chief Coordinator of the Task Force.

“This annual event is a community event that gives us opportunity to create and strengthen alliances and foster diversity, equality, and inclusion,” Abuan said.

This was the fourth annual painting of the crosswalk, although the first year, 2021, it was painted by two artists before the Task Force took over in 2022. EVOLVE Painting and Restoration by Eva Rodriguez was the company responsible for the repainting.

Abuan said the flag mural is a rainbow with stripes representing different things: red for life; orange for healing; yellow for sunlight; green for nature; royal blue for serenity; lilac for spirit; white, pink, and light blue represents the transgender community; and black and brown representing people of color. While the flag has changed over the years, these colors make up the Progressive Pride Flag.

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Following Abuan, there were honorary remarks from City and state officials including: State Senator Raj Mukherji, State Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato, Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, and Ward E Councilman James Solomon.

Prinz-Arey said that she was honored to celebrate the start of Jersey City Pride with the crosswalk repainting, reflecting on the loss of Christopher Englese, a former member of the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Task Force who passed away last year at the age of 44.

“I don’t have words right now,” she said. “I’m a little upset because Chris is not here with us and he’s a big part of all of this.”

The Task Force also presented a number of proclamations, resolutions, and certificates highlighting prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies in Jersey City. At the top of the list was a resolution presented to Englese’s family on his behalf by the Jersey City Municipal Council and a similar proclamation from the New Jersey General Assembly.

Englese earned his Bachelor’s Degree from New Jersey City University before receiving his Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Glasgow before dedicating himself to Jersey City as the Senior Digital Content Creator at the Mayor’s Office of Communications where he helped triple Jersey City’s social media followers. In addition to being on the Task Force, he also co-founded and was a past president of Bike JC and responsible for starting the Jersey City Ward Tour.

A gifted filmmaker, writer, producer, and editor, he received the 2023 Homegrown Documentary Award for his most recent documentary entitled “Strength Through Visibility” which premiered at the Garden State Film Festival last year and won Best Feature at the Austin Film Festival among other accolades for his work at other film festivals across the country.

The resolution dedicated the fourth annual crosswalk repainting to Englese in celebration of his life, devotion, advocacy, compassion, and public service. The proclamation presented by McCann Stamato also honored the late Englese for his service to Jersey City and the LGBTQ+ community.

After Englese, a citation was awarded to Chef Alejandro Ferrer in recognition of Jersey City LGBTQ+ owned-business enterprise to CAVANY Foods. The restaurant is the first certified LGBTQ+ owned business in New Jersey following the signing of a new state law to protect such businesses signed by Governor Phill Murphy back in May.

Additionally, a citation was presented recognizing the individual achievements and contributions of Eduardo Baez and Joseph Cameron of Jersey City Pride, and Elizabeth Schedl of the Hudson Pride Center. After that, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Migdalia Pagan-Milano, Committee Chair of Outreach and Public Relations of Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Taskforce.

Amid the presentation, there was a brief break for a dance rendition by a new group known as For The Fame. Several certificates of appreciation were presented to the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Task Force Liaisons for their time, talent, and commitment; to employees, departments, and divisions for their assistance and support; and to the table vendors and establishments for their participation in community service.

Drag icon ChaCha Boi Luna commenced outside would then bring the celebration outside, leading those in attendance in fun activities, games, renditions, and music throughout the day as the crosswalk was painted with the Progressive Pride Flag.

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