Transgender flag raised at City Hall in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said the city is sending a message of inclusiveness by raising a transgender flag at City Hall.

The pink, light blue and white flag was raised Monday, making St. Louis one of only a handful of cities to fly it.

It is being raised as part of Pride month and will remain in place through June.

"It's a message we're sending that the city is welcoming to everyone regardless of who you love or how you identify yourself," said Slay, a Democrat.

The idea was proposed by PROMO, which advocates in Missouri for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Transgender issues have been debated widely in the U.S. in the past few months, and President Barack Obama's administration has directed public schools to allow transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Jaimie Hileman watched as the transgender flag rose to a spot just below the American flag.

"It's a symbol that the intent of the city of St. Louis is for inclusion and equality for all LGBT people," said Hileman, co-executive director of Metro Trans Umbrella Group. "It's a very visible and tangible symbol."