CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Tomorrow marks the beginning of Pride month for the LGBTQ+ community. Many local businesses in Corning's Gaffer District already have their rainbow flags hanging outside their shops. 

Many of these businesses want everyone to feel safe and included in Corning. The owners of Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery and Card Carrying Books & Gifts said they are both proud to keep their rainbow flags hanging outside, all year long. 

“It's really important for businesses to let customers know that it's going to be a safe space and, for me, putting the flag out was just a way to let everyone know that they're welcome here,” Barbara Vassallo, the owner of Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery, said.  

This will be Vassallo’s second year participating in Corning's Pride Month festivities. Vassallo said she is always looking for new ways to show her unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community. 

 

“This year, I wanted to do...something more so, we're knitting a 25-foot rainbow scarf to drape our building," she said. “We'll have a few Pride rainbow kits of different crafts in the shop for people to pick up and work on here or at home.” 

Bethany Hammond, the manager at Card Carrying Books & Gifts, said their feminist bookstore has always been a beacon of activism, feminism, and a haven for everyone in Corning. This independent bookstore also keeps their Pride flag hanging outside their business, 365 days a year.  

Hammond said everyone in the queer community should be treated with respect and always feel safe, especially in the bookstore. 

“We, as a feminist bookstore, we believe that...year-around...but especially in June when it's during Pride Month, we just want everyone to know that they're always safe,” she said.  

 Hammond said Pride Month is one of the most important times of the year. 

“Pride Month is important to make sure that everyone knows that they're seen, and everybody knows that they can be exactly who they are...deep down inside,” she said.  

The Corning Pride Festival will be taking place on June 10th, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. People can look forward to the celebration happening on Market Street! For more information about the event, click this link.