Finizio To Attend LGBT Pride Month Reception At White House

Mayor Daryl Finizio will visit the White House this month as part of an LGBT Pride Month reception in the nation's capital.

President Barack Obama invited Finizio and his partner, Todd Ledbetter, to the June 13 event in Washington, D.C. They will make the trip using personal funds, according to a press release from the organization outCT.

"I was honored to accept the President's invitation to the White House to celebrate LGBT Pride Month," said Finizio. "My partner and I are moved by this invitation and are very grateful to President Obama for doing so much to support equal rights for all Americans. We’re proud to attend and represent of our progressive city and its broad and diverse community of people from different nationalities, religions and genders."

The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in New London includes the gay bars O'Neill's Brass Rail and Frank's Place as well as LGBT teams in the Southern  New England Softball League. Recently, outCT was formed to organize an LGBT pride festival in the city; it has since expanded its mission to support other events, starting with a kick-off party at 4 p.m. on June 14 at Frank's Place.

"As a native New Londoner, I will be proud to join my partner in representing our great city," said Ledbetter. "As a board member of outCT, I am equally proud to represent the broader southeastern Connecticut LGBT community as we prepare to inaugurate our own pride events this year in New London. These events will grow our economy and celebrate our diverse community."

Constance Kristofik, board president of outCT, said she thought the invitation demonstrates Obama's commitment to equal rights.

"I am very grateful to live in a community that celebrates and honors all sexual orientations and gender identities; but, unfortunately, not every town is like New London, Connecticut,” she said. “There is a disparity in human treatment around the world that runs deeper than civil law. While I hope that state and federal policy protects the broad gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population in our nation, I also wish for an even greater effort to promote basic human rights worldwide.”

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