(CNN) California has joined at least three other states that will be waving the rainbow flag over state Capitol buildings this month for the first time ever.

The flag was raised Monday morning and will be flown on the Capitol's main flagpole in Sacramento through July 1, at the request of the governor, a press release from his office said.

"In California, we celebrate and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community's right to live out loud -- during Pride month and every month," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in the release. "By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love."

The flag raising follows "similar historical firsts in Colorado and Wisconsin ," the release says, adding it "comes at a time when the federal government has told US embassies they can't fly pride flags.

The rainbow flag has become a universal symbol of hope for LGBTQ people around the world. It was first flown in San Francisco's United Nations Plaza for Gay Pride Day, on June 25, 1978.

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