As this flag rises, let it serve as a visible, undeniable promise to all of you that you are seen, that you are heard and that you belong exactly as you are.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is loudly and proudly inclusive, and warmly embraces all students, faculty, staff and community members.
That was the joyous, resilient and empowering message sent Monday, June 1, as members of MATC’s Pride Alliance employee resource group raised a Pride flag at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.
The event kicked off Pride Month, which commemorates and celebrates the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community. Pride Month is observed in June, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a series of gay liberation protests in New York City.
The multicolored flag will fly beneath the City of Milwaukee flag in front of the Student Center on State Street through June 30.
“Let this flag fly high above our campus as a beacon of safety and a declaration of pride,” said Peter Couto, a supervisor in Community Education and an active member in the Pride Alliance. “Let it remind every student who walks past that they do not have to hide who they are to achieve their dreams. Our diversity is not just a statistic. It’s our absolute strength. It’s what makes our community distinct, vibrant and whole.”
In the bright Monday sunshine, a group of staff and administrators, including MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz, watched as Lt. Gary Morimoto of Public Safety and administrative assistant Mary Greuel raised the flag.
“This is a day of celebration to show we are inclusive,” Dr. Cruz said. “And to show that we really support each other, whether we are employees, students or individuals in our community.”
As the flag was lifted, Couto explained its colors: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony and peace. “And purple for the beautiful spirit of a diverse community,” he said.
The black and brown stripes represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color. The pink, light blue and white stripes represent transgender and non-binary individuals, while the purple circle on a yellow triangle signifies the intersex community.
MATC raised the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag for the first time in the college’s history in June 2024.
“Today, we stand together in solidarity, in joy, and in unconditional support for LGBTQI+ students, staff, faculty, and community members,” Couto said. “As this flag rises, let it serve as a visible, undeniable promise to all of you that you are seen, that you are heard and that you belong exactly as you are.”
About MATC: Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 45 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.