Whitehall residents paint pride flag at city hall after workers were reportedly harassed

WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) – The city of Whitehall hosted a Pride celebration on Thursday. Every year, in honor of Pride Month, city workers paint the crosswalks in rainbow colors. This year, the mayor said workers were getting harassed. 

In response to the hate, Mayor Michael Bivens said they decided to do something bigger and better. 

For the month of June, residents walking or driving past City Hall in Whitehall will notice a Pride flag painted over the crosswalk. This is the city’s way of saying hate is not welcome. 

On Thursday, city leaders and community members gathered to celebrate love. 

“Today is demonstrative that we will continue to lead with love. Hate will not have a place not in not in this city hall, not in this city. And we will also show that we are stronger together than we are apart,” said Michael Bivens, mayor of Whitehall.

Every year, city workers paint the crosswalks in rainbow colors to represent the Pride flag. However this year, Mayor Bivens said some people shouted hateful things as they drove by. 

“Incredibly disappointed, not surprised,” said Dr. Leo Taylor, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and artist. 

Mayor Bivens wanted the message to be clear – the city of Whitehall would not stand down. 

“This has been a journey of exploration, a journey of discovery, and a journey of just letting myself and everyone know that we will not bow down to intimidation,” said Mayor Bivens. 

Dozens of community members showed up Thursday to help paint the Pride flag. NBC4 spoke to one artist who said it was an honor to be a part of this moment. 

“We had more volunteers than we had rulers, which was absolutely fantastic. And the fact that everybody came together and was really supportive and cheerful about it, I just feel really energized today,” said Jennifer Morley. 

In addition to this year's celebration, Dr. Taylor unveiled a mural that took years to complete. 

“The sculpture, which is featured inside and will be on loan for the rest of the month, represents tens of thousands of individual pieces that only send a powerful message when assembled together and its impact is greater than the sum of its parts,” he said. 

Everyone said that Thursday was all about love. Mayor Bivens said that as residents celebrate Pride Month, the city of Whitehall will continue to support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.