MIDDLETOWN STUDENTS READY FOR PRIDE FLAG By Lauren Albrecht
This month, I had the opportunity to speak with a Middletown student working very hard to bring diversity to her town and school. After interviewing Frankie Stella for the Monmouth Voice, I came away encouraged and heartened, knowing that the spirit and history of Pride is alive and well in Monmouth County. As we all know, the lifeblood and success of any organization, movement or cause is its youth, and we are in good hands with Frankie.
LA: Tell us about yourself!
FS: I’m Frankie Stella, and I am a junior at Middletown High School South. I am a part of my school’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance and I am on the Executive Board of the Diversity Club.
LA: Give us some history on your petition. For instance, what happened last year that led you to the point of writing the petition?
FS: For me, knowing the history behind Pride and the purpose of Pride Month motivated me to push for this recognition in Middletown. Pride Month honors the many years of activism to achieve equal rights, justice, and opportunities for all members of the LGBTQ+ community, a struggle that continues to this day. It honors the Stonewall Riots of 1969, and honors the resistance to harassment and persecution that members of the community continue to face. Not only does this flag represent acceptance and a safe place, it represents the fight to outlaw discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a direct result, if Middletown raised this flag, as so many other neighboring towns do, it would be demonstrating that it is a safe community that advocates for justice against discrimination and support for the diversity that lies within the LGBTQ+ community.
Last year, I had heard about upcoming celebrations in surrounding towns for Pride Month and I thought it would be something great for Middletown to take part in as well. I started by utilizing the support of the GSA and Diversity Club, as well as other community members, by writing emails to the Middletown Township Committee and Mayor. After failing to receive any response, I called into a township committee meeting and explained the importance of flying the flag and requested that they do so in June. In my email to the mayor, I included a draft of a proclamation, which I penned based on similar proclamations that have been read in other towns. This proclamation would be a commitment from the town to advocate against discrimination and support diversity. In June, myself and a group of community members attended a township meeting where the proclamation I sent was read. It was a great first step, but unfortunately no Pride flag was raised. This led me to my push this year to attempt to reach our ultimate goal and have a flag raised, and have the LGBTQ+ community be recognized for Pride Month at Town Hall. In order to accomplish this mission this year, I decided to start a petition. This petition has been signed and shared by a massive amount of community members and students. This show of support has led me to take additional steps.
LA: What do you hope to accomplish by getting the Pride Flag raised in Middletown?
FS: The Township Committee, through the proclamation, proclaimed Middletown to be “an inclusive and stigma-free society where every citizen knows that this township supports them.” Raising the Pride Flag in June would demonstrate such, and would show that our LGBTQ+ citizens are accepted and welcomed with open arms.
LA: What does visibility mean to you and why is it important?
FS: According to a 2021 survey done by the Trevor Project surrounding LGBTQ+ youth and mental health, over 4 out of every 10 LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in just the past year. According to the same survey, “LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide.” Regarding these statistics, community members, as well as LGBTQ+ youth, should feel welcomed, accepted, and celebrated. A flag at Town Hall, the center of our community, is a perfect symbol of inclusivity. Not only are we shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community, we are bringing awareness to the importance of allyship and compassion within Middletown.
LA: Do you think Middletown needs a Pride Flag? Do you think Middletown is ready for a Pride flag?
FS: There is no doubt in my mind that Middletown is ready for a Pride Flag at Town Hall. In under a week, we have over 800 signatures, the majority of which are students within our community. Leading up to Pride Month last year, I, along with other students and community members, placed hundreds of mini Pride Flags up and down the highways of Middletown. This “Pride Splash” was well-received the days following, by community members on social media and through conversations amongst our neighbors. The fact that this small demonstration was not met with any resistance or negative backlash on social media encouraged me to move forward with my plan this year to get that flag raised.
LA: What are your hopes for the future generations after you graduate?
FS: I want future students and community members to be able to walk through the doors of Town Hall, seeing a pride flag during the month of June, knowing that all community members are represented and celebrated. There are local and federal policies and practices that are actively advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and focusing on LGBTQ+ youth. Encouraging even more acceptance, like with this flag, will make places like schools and communities safer. I hope that after I graduate, the displays of support and acceptance will remain and the advocacy will continue.
If you’d like to sign the petition, please visit: https://chng.it/yxtKGgLzk2
Lauren Albrecht (She/Her/Hers)
Lauren is a full-time Healthcare Finance Supervisor, managing a department of Data Analysts at a large outsource vendor, and a part-time policy consultant at Garden State Equality. She holds degrees in English and Art History and lives in Wall Township with her family. Lauren’s interests include live music, literature and travel.
