New England Pride Guide 2015 - Produced by The Rainbow Times

2 • TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • New England Pride Guide 2015

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Boston Mayor’s Proclamation ................................................................................................ p.6 New England Celebrates Summer with Pride, a Comprehensive Overview ...........................p.8 Chilling in LGBTQ Boston .................................................................................................. p.14 Editor’s Pick; Boston Pride Events .............................................................................. pp. 22-23 Springfield, Mass. Pride ....................................................................................................... p.24 Why Mainstream LGBTQ News Coverage Doesn’t Help ................................................... p.26 Portland, Providence, Worcester, North Shore, & Springfield Pride info. retrieval ............. p.27 HBGC Celebrates with BASK, People of Color Pride Picnic ............................................. p.30 Provincetown Carnival: Candyland ..................................................................................... p.33 Kathy Najimy, P-town Carnival Performer & Grand Marshal ............................................. p.35 North Shore Pride Stands Proud Together ........................................................................... p.38 North Shore Pride Calendar of Events ................................................................................. p.38 Springfield Calendar of Events ............................................................................................ p.44 Worcester Pride Turns the Big 40! ....................................................................................... p.45

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June 5 - June 14 | #wickedproud

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New England set to celebrate summer with Pride, festivals and parades By: Lauren Walleser/TRT Assistant Editor

BOSTON, Mass.—After a winter for the record books, Boston and New England residents have begun preparing for a spring and summer filled with outdoor activities, including the many Pride parades and festivals taking place around the state.

Boston Pride The season kicked off with Northampton Pride in early May. Boston Pride will follow next with its 45th anniversary Pride Week running June 5-14. This year’s theme is #WickedProud, which Boston Pride President Sylvain Bruni said commemorates the history of the organization, which began in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Riots in New York City.

“From a small march with speeches between Jacque’s Cabaret and City Hall, to over 40 events including a four-hour parade illustrating our community’s diversity and richness, Boston Pride Week has grown immensely and is now the largest annual public event in New England,” said Bruni. “Boston Pride continues the tradition of public demonstration in the streets of Boston, as well as to offer numerous other events intended for everyone to enjoy and to celebrate who they are, in a safe and fun environment.”

This year’s events will include the annual flag raising at City Hall Plaza on June 5, Pride Day at Faneuil Hall on June 6, Pride Human Rights Forum on June 8, Pride Night at Fenway Park on June 12, and the Pride Parade and Festival on June 13. Additionally, the annual AIDS Walk, a program of the AIDS Action Committee, will take place during Pride Week on June 7. Other events include a conversation with Pussy Riot on June 5, comedian Fortune Feimster at The Wilbur on June 13, and the annual Back Bay and JP Block Parties on June 14.

Several events will be held specifically to celebrate Black and Latin@ Pride, including roller

skating parties, dance nights, socials, a panel on artificial insemination, and much more, held both in Boston and in other locations throughout the state.

“Boston Pride Week’s 45th anniversary is a time to celebrate the history of the organization, pay tribute to those who fought for LGBT rights, and to energize the next generation to carry on the important work,” said Boston Pride Parade Chair Martha Plaza in a press release. “Boston Pride represents everyone in our community whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and our straight allies and friends.”

Boston Pride will also celebrate its 45th anniversary with a brand new event, the Boston Pride Gala, to be held on the first night of Pride Week, June 5.

The entertainment lineup will include comedian Kevin Yee as host, Photo: TRT Archives country music star Billy Gilman, Boston’s own Johnny Blazes and The Pretty Boys, Grammy-nominated artist Mary Lambert, local band Jack Romanov, and R&B/ Jazz vocalist Nhojj.

“Boston Pride is thrilled to host these talented artists as part of our monumental celebration,” said Staci Stift, entertainment director of Boston Pride, in a press release. “Each of these individuals harbor a personal story that highlights the purpose and mission of Pride- to serve as voice to promote love, equality, support change and embrace diversity.”

The headlining act, Grammy Award-winning British songstress Estelle, was announced live on MIX 104.1 FM earlier this year. Estelle will also host a “Meet and Greet” with fans at the festival.

There will be a limited number of tickets for this event available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about entertainers and a full calendar of events, visit www.bostonpride.org.

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Pride Portland Pride Portland! will continue the New England pride season line-up, taking place June 12-20 in Portland, Maine. According to co-chair Jill Barkley, the event is a collaborative, community led effort in Maine’s largest city.

“Our 10 days of events incorporate a wide range of activities for elders, families, people who love to be outside, and people who want to dance!” said Barkley. “We strive to make our events accessible to every member of our diverse LGBTQA community by partnering with other local organizations like EqualityMaine, Maine Transnet, Outright, and SAGE. At the core of everything we do is a desire to serve our community and have fun while doing it.”

standards we set for ourselves last year in our first year of planning and expand on those successes,” said Barkley.

For more information on Pride Portland! and their full schedule of events, visit www.prideportland.org.

“To that end, we try to provide a miniShore Pride mum of 50 percent North This year’s North Shore Week will be held June of our vendors at Pride 15-21. our festival who “North Shore Pride is a true of our North are available to representation Shore community,” said Watt-Bucci, founder provide informa- Hope and president of North tion and outreach Shore Pride, Inc. “We are an organization with events that to those in need of are a true reflection of our mission, to provide educaservices.” tion to our community and

This will be the second year the organization has hosted Pride, for which Barkley said they’ve had more time to plan and raise funds.

“We are feeling more prepared to meet the

advocacy for LGBT persons on the North Shore. To that end, we try to provide a minimum of 50 percent of our vendors at our festival who are available to provide information and outreach to those in need of services.

See Prides on page 10

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Prides from Page 9 North Shore Pride also ensures that we highlight the talents of our local entertainers, artisans and businesses during our festival and events. Finally, North Shore Pride wants to ensure that we always be reachable and in touch with our community.”

The schedule of events will kick-off with a “Lunch and Learn” conference at a local North Shore college or university with the theme “How to make your North Shore city or town more inclusive for the LGBT community.” Next, a movie and art exhibit will be held at the Salem Theatre, followed by a screening of “The Normal Heart” and an interfaith worship service. The Fourth Annual North Shore Pride Parade and Festival will be held in Salem, Mass. on June 20.

Entertainment for this year’s festivities will include headliners XELLE, Adrienne Mack Davis, and local favorites The DeJas, Rolla, Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket, Sarah & The Wild Versatile, Jenn Lombari and Lucky United.

“We started this organization in 2012 with a few people sitting around my dining room table,” said Watt-Bucci. “We established the North Shore Pride Parade and Festival as a means to let the general public know that we are established, avail-

able and working towards a goal of true ‘Unity in our North shore Community.’ Having been gratefully successful in providing our event for the last three years, we are now able to branch out and work diligently on the educational component of our mission.”

For the full schedule and to learn about this year’s theme, which will be announced soon, visit www. northshorepride.org.

Rhode Island PrideFest Rhode Island PrideFest and Illuminated Night Parade will take place Saturday, June 20.

“This year’s PrideFest theme, chosen by our members during our annual planning retreat is ‘IndiVISIBLE,’ reflecting that it’s essential for our community to not be divided as we pursue equality, and also that individuals being out and visible is vital in our efforts to continue to effect positive change in our state, our nation, and our world,” said Kurt Bagley, president of Rhode Island Pride.

Scheduled performers for the daytime festival include Sir Ari Gold, Shannel from RuPaul’s Drag Race, folk trio Pearl and the Beard, and headliner Crystal Bowersox, first runner up from American Idol Season 9.

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“Rhode Island’s Pride Weekend is a true community celebration,” said Bagley. “PrideFest offers great information and outreach from our fellow community non-profits, arts and crafts and other great items to purchase, activities for children at our Kids Zone, programming for teens at our Youth Pride Zone, an Interfaith service, and of course a fantastic show on our Entertainment Mainstage as well as a great Beer Garden right on the Providence River. The Festival leads into New England’s only Illuminated Night Parade which turns the streets of downtown Providence into one of the biggest celebrations the City sees all year, complete with a fantastic marching band, the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps from New York City. The celebration continues in the night with some amazing block parties sponsored by our local LGBT clubs and bars who are great supporters of our Pride organization. They invest a lot into their entertainment and help keep the atmosphere charged into the wee hours of the morning. Everything is within easy walking distance—park for the day or get a hotel room and enjoy a full 16 hours plus of true community togetherness and celebration.”

For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

PRIDE Vermont Later in the season, PRIDE Vermont will continue the pride tradition with their LGBT PRIDE Week running September 6-13 in Burlington. This year’s theme is “SHINE,” which celebrates the personal and collective triumphs of the LGBT Community.

The celebration continues in the night with some amazing block parties sponsored by our local LGBT clubs and bars who are great supporters of our Pride organization.

“PRIDE Vermont is Northern New England’s premier Pride festival. “Vermont’s PRIDE Festival includes the Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo, making it the tastiest Pride in the country. We also include a large activity tent, called Gender Fun, for the transgender community.”

PRIDE Vermont will also include the Annual High Heel Race on Church Street, and the Parade and Festival featuring music and entertainment by local performers, including the aerial performance group Fierce Circus and special guests The Glamazons, a girl group made famous on “America’s Got Talent.”

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a variety of submissions, according to Worcester Pride President John Trobaugh.

Prides from Page 11 Additionally, the second annual Gender PRIDE Speaker Event will present transgender activist, writer and musician Julia Serano on September 9. Serano’s first book, “Whipping Girl,” has been used in gender studies classrooms and as required reading for the cast of Amazon Prime’s TV series “Transparent.”

“Our PRIDE festival continues to grow and attract people from everywhere.

We’re truly becoming a regional PRIDE event,” said Randy Violette, chair of the PRIDE Vermont Committee, in a press release.

“I invite everyone from Vermont and throughout New England, New York and Quebec to celebrate with us.”

For more information, visit www.PRIDEvermont.com.

“The theme is nice because it harkens back to the year that Worcester Pride had its first celebration.

This is the name of the song that was number one on the charts and it really fits where we are as a community,” said Trobaugh.

“With public acceptance here in Massachusetts, many thought the need for Pride would go away.

Indeed, many LGBT-owned businesses have gone out of business. However, we are finding more of a need to build community. We hear people ask for more of a sense of community at every event. The fact is that people come out in a variety of ways throughout their lives. It is never a discrete event, nor is it the same for everyone.”

“Our pride festival continues to grow and attract people from everywhere. We’re truly becoming a regional pride event.”

Worcester Pride Worcester Pride will take place in September as well, held September 9-12 in Worcester, Mass.

This year’s theme, “Love Will Keep Us Together!” was chosen based on public feedback from

The week will kick-off September 9 with the first ever flag raising at City Hall, followed by a Pride Dinner on September 10 and the annual Ms. and Mr. Worcester Pride and Miss Gay Worcester Pageant on September 11.

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“This is the second year our pageant is gender neutral,” said Trobaugh. “Last year was a great success in that we had no gender requirements for any of these titles. The Miss Gay Worcester Title is a drag category, but it is up to the participants to self declare their interest in a particular title.”

The week will also include the parade and festival, Youth Pride Dance, and Water Fire – Pride Block Party. Local performers will include Joslyn Fox, Glenn Steward and host and emcee Cindy Foster.

According to Trobaugh, Worcester hosts “the most family-friendly Pride in the region,” with The Woo Church sponsoring a kids area with bounce houses, an art center and various games.

For more information, visit www.worcesterpride. org.

“... diversity and creativity are two of the biggest gemstones Springfield Pride Pride 2015 of Central Mass. and willSpringfield be held September in Springfield, Mass. we love to show that 17-22 The public will vote on the theme during the summer off here!” months via the group’s

“We believe diversity and creativity are two of the biggest gemstones of Central Mass. and we love to show that off here!” said Trobaugh. “We also have a Political Ally where we invite politicians from the region to get a table and communicate with their LGBTQ constituents. If they get a table, we introduce them from the stages so that they can continue a dialogue at their tables and as they walk through the area. We are not party-specific. Last year we had representation from Democrats, Republicans and Independents. This year there are many municipal elections, which traditionally are nonpartisan. We look forward to interacting with them.”

Facebook page, but the line-up of events is already taking shape with a flag raising ceremony, LGBT Hall of Fame Reception, and festival included among the activities.

“The Springfield Mass Pride committee works hard to ensure that events are accessible for the young and the mature, for the politically active and the simply curious, with activities to stimulate the intellect and move the feet,” said Nelson Rafael Roman, board president of the Imperial

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Chilling in LGBTQ Boston, summer fun By: Clara Lefton/TRT Reporter BOSTON, Mass.—With summer just around the corner, Boston has a variety of activities geared for the LGBTQ community within the coming months. Ranging from theatrical performances to fundraisers and parties, this season is filled with activities for people of all ages.

Black and Latin@ Pride The Black and Latin@ Pride festivities are combining this year to be a joint component of the much larger Boston Pride, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this summer. Boston Pride week will take place June 5-14, which will also be the timeline for Black and @Latin Pride.

“Sequins, beads, feathers, reggae, soca, bachata and calypso will fill the air,” said Nikki Sanders, a member of the Boston Pride Committee. “There are over 15 events planned for a celebration with our friends and allies of all backgrounds. Come celebrate with us.”

Sanders added that events for Black and Latin@ Pride will “be historic and appropriate for its Boston roots.” These cultural events will include a roller skating party, brunch, dancing, discussions

Photo: TRT Archives

and more. For details on each event, visit www. bostonpride.org/latinopride/.

AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run 30th Anniversary The AIDS Walk and Run is the AIDS Action Committee’s (AAC) largest annual fundraiser and will take place Sunday, June 7. Now in its 30th year, the event organizers expect to raise around $1 million from just this year’s event. Thousands of participants are expected, including individuals and companies.

Ben Klein, a senior attorney and the AIDS Law Project director at the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), shared why the organization gets involved.

“GLAD participates in the AIDS Walk to support the critical work of our friends and colleagues at AAC and because every LGBT organization must stay committed to fighting the epidemic that

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has so profoundly affected our community,” said Klein.

“The 30th anniversary of the walk is a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made in fighting unfairness and discrimination against people with HIV, but also to recommit to ending the stigma and prejudice which is still all too common today.”

HIV is due in part to AIDS Action Committee’s life-saving work of connecting people with health care, peer support, counseling, free HIV testing, housing and fuel assistance, and legal services. Support for the AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run truly makes a difference for people living with HIV or vulnerable to infection.”

Randy Price, WCVB-TV newscaster, will be the day’s emcee for the expected thousands of participants. After completing the race, which will include professional timing and approval by USA Track and Field, attendees are welcome to visit the event’s Wellness Festival.

Registration and check-in will take place at 7:30 a.m. while the opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Registration includes a $30 fee. For information about how to participate, visit www.aidswalkrunboston. org.

“Recent reports show that Massachusetts residents with HIV are twice as likely to have their disease under control as patients nationally who are living with the virus,” said AAC Executive Director Carl Sciortino.

“That translates into fewer new diagnoses of HIV, which have declined 41 percent in the Commonwealth since 2000. Our success in the fight against

Drag Divas Give Back Now in its fifth year, this annual benefit for the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MassTPC) will be held June 9. The evening will feature performances by a variety of drag queens at Boston’s Club Cafe.

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“Drag Divas is a fun and engaging way to give back to MassTPC, while also getting the chance to see a world-class drag show,” said Mason Dunn, executive director of MassTPC. “The divas in the show generously donate all of their tips to [MassTPC], which is a truly amazing show of support and kindness. I would like to thank all the divas and the organizer, Henry Paquin, who make this amazing event possible.”

Lakia Mondale and Verna Turbulence will host this year’s festivities. All tips and admission will go directly to MassTPC. Over the past four years, the event has brought in over $8,000.

learn more about MassTPC and purchase tickets for the event, visit www.masstpc.org.

BEARZ Bare It ALL for Charity The Imperial Court of Massachusetts (ICMA) and Outrageous Productions will host this amateur strip tease show June 11, featuring a variety of past notable “Mr. Bear” winners from different states and years. The night will begin at 9 p.m. and will serve as a fundraiser for Waltham House, a group home for LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts.

The organization’s programs serve people up to 22 years of age, and include therapy, counseling, education and many other support services.

The night will begin at 9 p.m. and will serve as a fundraiser for Waltham House, a group home for LGBTQ youth in Mass.

“Drag Divas Give Back is a great event that raises money and awareness to the transgender community,” said Henry Paquin, community activist and chair of Unity Pride. “This night brings together the Drag Divas from across New England.”

The entertainment will take place from 9 to 7 p.m. with general admission starting at $10. To

“It’s very important to ICMA to give back to our community that is in need of outside help,” said Your Majesty Empress XI Lakia Mondale, who will host the event. “The government can only give so much, and with that said, we as a family and community need to help each other out. We try to choose different places to give back to.”

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The show will be held at the Paradise Cambridge with a $10 entrance cost. All door fees and tips will go directly to Waltham House.

Broadcast Launching June 13, the Broadcast will be a new weekly party for women at the Kingston Station restaurant in Boston. Its grand opening will take place at 7 p.m. with dinner and drinks as a part of Boston Pride. It will feature a musical performance by Kiyomi Valentine of the band Hunter Valentine and former cast member of Showtime’s The Real L Word. The night will also feature DJs and soul/hip-hop artist Adrienne Mack-Davis.

“This is going to be something very new and different for the girls,” said Elizabeth McGurr, producer of the event through Lesbian Nightlife.

“It will be the first weekly lesbian party in a long time and we would love your support.”

Going forward, the event will continue to take place at Kingston Station every Saturday and feature a variety of live acts and DJs. To learn more, visit www.lesbiannightlife.com.

Transgender Youth Summit This annual gathering, held July 11 this year, is for those who identify or fall under the umbrella label of transgender and are between the ages of 13 to 24 in the New England area. The day will provide an opportunity for social networking in

the transgender community as well as workshops, activities, a keynote speaker, and more. Now that the summit is in its eighth year, the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (BAGLY), the Greater Boston PFLAG and MassTPC will put on the event.

“This event was initiated in 2008 in order to provide a safe space for transgender and gender non-conforming young people and their families to come together for support, information and resources, and to build community and advocate for a better world for the youth of all of our communities,” said Grace Sterling Stowell, executive director of BAGLY. “Last year’s event hosted over 100 youth and 80 parents/family members, and this year’s numbers are expected to be even more, making it the largest event of its kind in Massachusetts.”

The event is free and will be located in Cambridge at the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although the event is free, online registration is required via www.bagly.org. Some limited space is available for those who do not identify as transgender, but instead identify as allies. To learn more about the event, contact BAGLY’s Youth Track Coordinator, Eziah Blake, at eblake@bagly. org.

See Summer Fun on page 18

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Summer Fun from page 17 The Theater Offensive The Theater Offensive (TTO) is a Boston-based theater organization whose mission is “to present the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lives in art so bold it breaks through personal isolation, challenges the status quo, and builds thriving communities.” Since 1989, TTO has included a youth theater troupe, workshops, neighborhood productions, original works and more.

“I love that TTO is invested in using the arts to unite and create change,” said Corey Yarbrough, executive director of Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC). “I want TTO to continue taking on the taboo topics that force us to acknowledge and react to the diversity, beauty and struggles that exist for LGBT people in Boston.”

TTO will host several events this summer, the first of which is “Louder Than Words,” a True Colors Musical. The True Colors Troupe, an LGBTQ youth and allies theater group, will perform their summer shows May 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. in Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall. This free event will be produced by people ages 14 to 22 who do everything from writing the skits to performing and singing them.

Next, the organization will host the BlackOUT Tour. Staff members Lindsey Anderson and Kaamila Mohamed were motivated by the civil

rights movement #BlackLivesMatter to create these theatrical performances. The pieces will be put on by Black, young and queer artists to open up discussions about this movement. There are currently three confirmed June dates and locations, including June 11 at 9 p.m. “If You Feel It, You Can Speak It” Open Mic at Bella Luna Milky Way Lounge; June 12 at Boston Pride’s Dyke March; and June 20 at HBGC’s BASK Picnic.

“Many people in Boston are wondering how their day-to-day actions can help challenge systemic racism,” said Abe Rybeck, TTO’s executive artistic director. “I see so many looking at what is happening in Ferguson or in Baltimore and jumping immediately to despair, or simply trying to avoid engaging with these important events. This summer, BlackOUT will tour Boston neighborhoods to inspire people to action. When I see this show, I squeal with laughter, moan with painful recognition, and feel awakened to how what I do today can make a difference.”

The last event, the True Colors Summer Troupe Showcase, will be held July 30 at 7 p.m. with members of TTO’s troupe telling their own personal family and friends’ tales. Performers participate in four weeks of training prior to the show.

The event will take place at The Theater Offensive in the Back Bay district of Boston.

For more information about TTO’s events and performances, visit www.thetheateroffensive.org.

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r a d en l a c r’s Pick de

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Friday, June 5

12noon Flag Raising Ceremony City Hall Plaza (Boston, MA) 7:30pm Human Rights A Conversation With Pussy Riot The Wilbur Theatre (246 Tremont St, Boston, MA)

Saturday, June 6

Edito

Weekend Pied Bar (193 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA)

Sunday, June 7

10am AIDS Walk Boston Event organized by the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Boston Common (Boston, MA)

10am-5pm Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Boston, MA)

11am-2pm Black & Latin@ Pride Black & Latin@ Pride Brunch Norvia’s Place (2805 Washington St, Roxbury, MA)

4-7pm Black & Latin@ Pride Pride@Night Carnaval Tea Dance @ Women of Color

3-7pm Annual Pride Tea Dance for LGBT Seniors

Event organized by the LGBT Aging Project. Holiday Inn (1200 Beacon St, Brookline, MA)

Monday, June 8

6pm Human Rights Human Rights Forum Immigration Issues Facing the LGBT Population Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St, Boston, MA)

Friday, June 12

6pm Boston Dyke March Event organized by the Boston Dyke March Committee Parkman Bandstand (Boston Common, Boston, MA)

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Friday, June 12 (con’t)

7:10pm Pride Night @ Fenway Park Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Fenway Park (4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA) Tickets now available: purchase now!

Saturday, June 13

11am-6pm Boston Pride Festival City Hall Plaza (Boston, MA) Meet & Greet with Estelle, Mary Lambert: & Billy Gilman 12noon Boston Pride Parade

Edito

Copley Square to City Hall Plaza (Boston, MA)

2-7pm Esme Block Party Boylston St (across from the Boston Common, Boston, MA)

2-8pm Pride@Night JP Block Party featuring DJ LeahV, Perkins St (at Center St, Jamaica Plain, MA)

6-10pm Boston Pride Youth Dance City Hall Plaza (Boston, MA)

Sunday, June 14

12noon-8pm Pride@Night Back Bay Block Party, featuring DJ Tatiana & Frenchie Davis. St James Ave (at Berkeley St, Boston, MA)

View the complete calendar at BostonPride.org

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Springfield Mass. Pride: Past, present & future

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hen thinking about the history of PRIDE in Springfield one can directly track it to the rise of LGBT Civil Rights movement in Massachusetts. Coming out of the late 70’s and early 80’s when the “community” in Springfield was tired of being in the closet and of hiding, nightclub owners wanted to create a sense of unity and celebration amongst each other.

Many residents felt that if Northampton, whose Pride celebration is the first in the nation, could host a successful pride, then Springfield should be able to replicate it, if not surpass it. On the political front, it was the story of veteran Springfield Police officer Michael Carney, who took on the civilian-run police commission for rejecting his application to rejoin the force due to his sexuality.

Officer Carney’s story became local and national news, Carney settled with the department and went back to work in 1994. The same year the first PRIDE Celebration was held.

Springfield Mass’ first PRIDE, featured a flag raising ceremony on the steps of Springfield City hall, and a celebratory block party. The owners of Just Friends, David’s Sisters and Pub came together and produced the first block party. The party included a dunking booth, food, live musical performances, like the headlining act Carol and the Burgundies.

The Pride movement in Springfield partially

depends on the leadership of the local city government supporting the efforts of the committee. The first Pride movement started the year before former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano took office and lasted until he left office. Albano had a volunteer Liaison, Bill Conley who served as a direct link to the LGBT community of Springfield. In 1995, Mayor Albano and the City passed the Springfield Domestic Partnership Ordinance. This rallied the community and led to a second Pride Celebration in 1995.

Springfield PRIDE continued up until 2003 when it moved the festival to Riverfront Park.

springfield Pride

Once Albano’s successor former Mayor Charles Ryan took office, Springfield Mass Pride stopped.

This isn’t the sole contributing factor to the ending of Pride, many point to the passage of Marriage Equality passing in Massachusetts, which prompted a lot of the older-partnered advocates, and community organizers to settle down and marry. Also, other factors were the lack of interest in the upcoming LGBT generation of the early 00’s as well as the declining energy level of existing PRIDE members. Springfield Mass PRIDE lay dormant from 2003 until 2011. In 2011, then City Councilor Amaad Rivera

See Springfield Mass Pride on page 46

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Why Mainstream News’ LGBTQ Coverage Doesn’t Help By: Milo Todd*/TRT Columnist

J

ust this past week, on May 23rd, newscasters around the world declared that Ireland would make equal marriage legal due to a landslide victory via popular vote. That’s a success and a massive deal. A people’s vote deciding a new law that supports LGBTQ rights has never, ever been done before. History was made mere days ago.

rather, the question is … why is mainstream news coverage on the LGBTQ community virtually only ever about equal marriage?

Getting equal marriage on the books is great and all, but it doesn’t exactly solve the LGBTQ world’s problems. And, to only cover a matter most interesting to white, cisgender, upper-middle-class people (straight or not), not only distracts from those problems that need our immediate attention, but encourages the mainstream to ignore them entirely.

While such mainstream LGBTQ notions as equal marriage are important in their own While marriage equality is way, they’re terribly a victory for some people, the vast majority of us have distracting from issues bigger things on our minds. can’t obtain it yet, even that can be considered We if we want it and it’s on the far more impending. books, because we still have

But as I saw all of the victory coverage, all of the photos of people breaking down in pure joy on street corners, I couldn’t help but wonder why in the world this was the only thing mainstream people seem to ever hear about us from big-name newsies.

No, that’s not a question of whether we should be celebrating and spreading the news about this awesome victory. Because we should. But

so many other roadblocks in front of it.

“Mainstream LGBTQ” focuses far too much on a select few rights that, compared to the other issues the LGBTQ community has to deal with, don’t really matter much.

See Mainstream on page 29

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Portland Pride

providence Pride

worcester Pride

north shore Pride

springfield Pride

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Nearly 50% of LGBTQ people attempt suicide at some point in their lives due to harassment and/or bullying, 1 in 12 transgender people is murdered (a disproportionate amount of them being transwomen of color), intimate partner violence for LGBTQ people is the same rate as that for straight women, and 40% of the homeless youth population is LGBTQ. Transwomen are being put into men’s prisons and raped by both inmates and security. LGBTQ seniors are going back into the closet because care facility workers abuse them.

Bisexual people (especially those of color) are being harassed everywhere … including so-called LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

toward a better future for the LGBTQ community because it can help us be appropriately and accurately represented in the problems we face.

While such mainstream LGBTQ notions as equal marriage are important in their own way, they’re terribly distracting from issues that can be considered far more impending.

Putting equal marriage on the

“…photographic cover- books wouldn’t have helped Ky Or AJ Betts. Or Lawage to marriage equal- Peterson. rence. And it won’t help those in ity’s triumphs or woes the future with these or similar problems. is disproportionately Yet we rarely hear about issues skewed toward showing like those linked. Instead, the white, able-bodied, ironi- biggest names in news have been all of their LGBTQ encally straight-appearing pouring ergy into gushing about … well men who are assumed … pretty much one thing.

Guess what that one thing is. to be gay …”

Focusing on an issue such as equal marriage and turning it into the issue for the LGBTQ community makes straight and cisgender people think that once equal marriage is granted throughout the world, everything will be okay. All problems solved.

But there’s no way to solve all problems when only one specific problem is being focused upon for one very specific group of people. Intersectionality is the only way we’ll be able to start working

And Ireland aside, virtually any photographic coverage to marriage equality’s triumphs or woes is disproportionately skewed toward showing white, able-bodied, ironically straight-appearing men who are assumed to be gay (as opposed to possibly bisexual, pansexual, or fluid). It’s more than just a little irksome. It’s homonormativity.

See Mainstream on page 30

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HBGC Celebrates Pride with BASK: An LGBTQ People of Color Pride

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n Saturday, June 20, 2015, HUES, a program of the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition, will host BASK 2015: An LGBTQ People of Color Pride Picnic at Cedar Square Park in Roxbury, Mass. from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The day-long picnic is an opportunity for Greater Boston’s LGBTQ people of color and allies to build community during Pride Month and provides a platform for queer artists of color to showcase their work, be it music, dance, poetry or art.

A variety of activities will take place throughout the day, including yoga, health exhibits, spoken word performances, dancing and live musical acts.

One featured performer is BlackOUT. BlackOUT, a project of The Theater Offensive’s True Colors: OUT Youth Theater program, is a performance group of young, queer Black artists who use artis-

Mainstream from page 29 Don’t get me wrong. I believe Ireland has done something awesome and powerful. To see a country rally like that to voice overwhelming favor to LGBTQ rights moved me. It shows that people’s minds as a collective have taken a huge shift in treating LGBTQ people like humans. If a heavily Catholic country can give a resounding and enthusiastic yes to equal marriage, it makes me feel like anything is possible.

But this isn’t about Ireland and their victory.

This is about how mainstream media covers the LGBTQ community at large.

I believe the reason mainstream news only covers something as simple as marriage equality is because it’s easy. They can just say “yay rights!” or “boo rights!” or “this is what people have to say about rights!” without ever actually having to bring to light any of the problematic, whitewashed, straight-focused foundations of our (or

tic expression to amplify the Black experience.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own food to savor or share. Food trucks will also be on site to sell meals to participants.

Since 2009, HBGC has evolved to become one of Boston’s leading LGBTQ organizations serving Black and Latin@ LGBTQ individuals through social support, health and wellness resources, and leadership development opportunities. HUES was created by HBGC in 2012 to provide a space where Greater Boston’s Black and Latin@ LGBTQ womyn can be safe, visible and celebrated.

As the organization’s official pride event, HBGC believes the BASK picnic represents an opportunity for LGBTQ people of color to unite and celebrate one another. The event intentionally gathers in a neighborhood of color, allowing individuals to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience, beauty and pride of each other and their communities.

For more information about BASK, email Daniela Amaya at damaya@hbgc-boston.org or visit www.hbgc-boston.org.

any other) country that caused this and every other LGBTQ inequality issue we have. They can look progressive without changing a thing.

Basically, if straight and cisgender people think that Ireland (or any other country that follows its footsteps) is done with its contribution to creating a safer, fairer world for all LGBTQ people because it put marriage equality on the books, they have another thing coming.

Yes, take a moment to pat yourselves on the back for all of the recent marriage equality successes.

But tomorrow, it’s time to roll up your sleeves.

That includes you, media. * Milo Todd is a freelance writer, editor, and journalist who focuses on LGBTQ and intersectional feminist issues. Originally starting as a freelance reporter and book columnist for Wicked Local, his work has since been featured in such venues as Everyday Feminism.

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Bears/Henry

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Carnival 2015: “Candy Land” Sugars P-Town

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arade? Not so much. What is today one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Massachusetts and recently named Best Festival on Cape Cod 2013, attracts around 90,000 revelers, bears no resemblance to the first Carnival celebration some thirty-five years ago.

“No floats. No banners. We did not even have costumes,” says one of the parade founders, Herbie Hintzer. “I wore a Ranch t-shirt, the inn where I was working at the time. With about five other inn owners we decided to do something to spark life into the slowest week of the summer.”

The Town opinion on ‘Let’s have a parade!’ was quite another thing. “We were told in no uncertain terms that locals did not like the idea of a gay parade, they did not want it to happen, and we should be prepared for some rock throwing. They even told us the corner where that would happen.”

Undeterred, the fearless few made their way to the center of town. As they approached ‘the’ corner they held their breath expecting the worst.

“We could not believe it,” says Herbie, “We got a huge round of applause from everyone.” Thus the birth of both Carnival and the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG), formed to encourage and support GLBT tourism.

Carnival’s storied history includes the year that Ron Robin, owner of P’town’s landmark restaurant The Mews, decided to stir things up with an elephant — a real live elephant. “I personally collected the elephant and we marched him down Commercial Street. We won a prize, and it certainly got people talking. Although the purpose of Carnival may have changed over the years it is certainly important to all of us as it brings all of us together. And most importantly, it is great fun.”

From the first parade to present day, Candy Collins-Boden has been at the helm of the town’s Chamber of Commerce and calls Carnival the

Photo: PBG

“over the top“ event of the season.

“Although Carnival is seen as a GLBT attraction, it’s fun for everyone, and is truly the best celebration in the state.”

“We now see as many as 80 parade entries in a week long Carnival celebration that fills the town,” says PBG Executive Director Erin Atwood, who each year is tasked with coming up with something new and different. “We’ve had some real winners with the pool party at the Brass Key & the Carnival Costume Ball at the Boatslip.

Both of these new events have been a huge success and really kick off Carnival Week in a new and different way that everyone loves. As for the parade, there is only one major rule, ‘Underwear please!’ We want to make sure that we offend no one, by maintaining a delicate balance, tread lightly, do not impede creativity and stay somewhat family friendly.”

To learn more about the specific events taking place during Carnival 2015: Candy Land, check out http://tiny.cc/trt_carnival. To learn more about the P-Town Business Build, visit: http://ptown. org.

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and just wrapped filming The Descendants Carnival 2015 Performer & ER for The Disney Channel an A Change of Heart.

For TV she voiced “Peggy Hill” (14 seasons) on Award-winning Fox hit King of the Grand Marshal: Kathyhe ProvNajimy theHill,Emmy for which she received several Awards.

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incetown Business Guild in association with Adam Weinstock and Creative Concept Productions proudly presents our Carnival 2015 Performer and Grand Marshal – Kathy Najimy!

Memorable performances in over 25 Photo: PBG films including Sister Act and Hocus Pocus! Ms. Najimy is excited to join us in Candyland where she’ll bring the Kathy Najimy Show to P-town for ONE NIGHT only, on August 19th, 2015, 7:30 p.m. at Provincetown Town Hall. Opening for Ms. Najimy award winning Cabaret performer Anne Steele.

Kathy Najimy is known for her memorable performances in over 25 films including Sister Act and Hocus Pocus… and several TV projects. She is very proud to have been named Ms. Magazine WOMAN OF THE YEAR!

Najimy is currently recurring on HBO’S VEEP, and the last season of The Big C as Laura Linney’s character’s therapist. Najimy reccurs on YOUNG-

Najimy is internationally known for her portrayal of “Sister Mary Patrick” in the blockbuster hits Sister Act and Sister Act 2, which won her an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress.

Her work includes over 20 films including starring roles in Hocus with Bette Midler, Pocus,Rat Race, Tyler Perry’s Madena Christmas and Say Uncle (Philadelphia Film Festival Best Actress), Hope Floats, Nevada, Step Up 3D, Zack and Reba, This Is My Life, The Fisher King, Soapdish, The Hard Way, Bam Bam and Celeste, Two Sisters, It’s Pat, The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez, Jeffrey, The Big K, and HBO’s If These Walls Could Talk 2 with Ellen DeGeneres. Najimy also recently filmed two indie films, Blowtorch and Clutter, and was seen in The Guilt Trip with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen. Najimy has also been in a plethora of TV projects, such as Desperate Housewives; Drop Dead Diva; Franklin and Bash; Ugly Betty; Socio; Men At Work; Mr. Sunshine; and a recurring role on ABC’s hit show Make It or Break It. She also starred as “Olive Massery” for three seasons on Veronica’s Closet, for which she received an American Comedy Award.

Read the rest of this story at: http://goo.gl/5vvdMF

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North Shore Pride is Standing Proud Together The fourth annual North Shore Pride Parade and Festival will take place Saturday, June 20, 2015, in Salem, MA. The theme of this year’s celebration, voted on by members of the community, is Standing Proud Together.

New this year is a week long calendar of educational, cultural and community events leading up to the parade and festival, including a free “lunch and learn” on Monday, June 15, focused on how to make cities and towns more welcoming for LGBT people.

“The mission of North Shore Pride has always been to create unity in our community,” said president and founder Hope Watt-Bucci. “I’m proud to be expanding our educational mission this year by providing an opportunity for local officials and members of the public to hear from dedicated advocates like Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Mason Dunn of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition about steps we can all take to make our North Shore cities and towns more unified and welcoming for all.”

“With a full week of events including a movie night, interfaith service and more, there’s something for everyone to participate in,” Watt-Bucci added, “It takes every one of us to make change in our communities, and this year we truly are standing proud together.”

The Grand Marshal of the 2015 North Shore Pride Parade is OUTVETS, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the contributions and sacrifices of LGBTQ Veterans, active service members, and their families. OUTVETS made history earlier this year as the first LGBT organization to officially march openly in the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This year’s entertainment lineup at the festival on the Salem Common includes headliners XELLE (pronounced “XL”). XELLE’s original, high energy songs sound like a delicious mix of Katy Perry, ABBA and The Spice Girls, and they’ve headlined pride festivals in Chicago, San Francisco, New York and more.

XELLE promotes a strong message of selfacceptance and empowerment. They released the song Red Flag as a powerful human rights anthem, in conjunction with the #iRaiseARedFlag online protest to inspire everyone who cares about equality to make their views known and raise their voice against oppression.

Also in our lineup: Adrienne Mack Davis as part of her world tour, local favorites, The DeJas, Rolla, Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket, Sarah & The Wild Versatile, Jenn Lombari and Lucky United.

North Shore Pride is a 100% volunteer run non-profit organization. The annual North Shore Pride Parade, Festival and year-round community events are made possible by the work of countless volunteers, individual donations and the support of community sponsors.

Complete details, including how to register to march in the parade, be a vendor at the festival, sponsor or volunteer, can be found at www.northshorepride.org.

Photo: Marilyn Humphries

Calendar of Events

Monday, June 15, 11:30 a.m. – Free public Lunch & Learn at The Cabot in Beverly: Making Our Cities and Towns More Welcoming for LGBT people. Panelists include: Mayor Kim Driscoll, City of Salem; Representative Paul Tucker, 7th Essex District; Paul Miller, One Gordon; Mason Dunn, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. Sponsored by Montserrat College of Art. Lunch provided by Gulu Gulu/ Flying Saucer of Salem.

Wednesday, June 17, 7 p.m. – North Shore Pride Movie Night at the Salem Theater. Presenting the documentary The Case Against 8, with a reception to follow. $5 donation at the door.

Thursday, June 18, 7:30 p.m. – North Shore Pride sponsors the June 18th performance of The Normal Heart at the Salem Theater. Tickets available through Salem Theater.

Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. – Interfaith Pride Service at Tabernacle Congregational Church in Salem. Participating clergy include: the Reverend Joseph Amico, the Reverend Tara OlsenAllen, Rabbi Mark Newton, Father Silvestre Romero and Wiccan Priestess Helen Cymbala. A reception will follow the service.

Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m. – The fourth annual North Shore Pride Parade will kick off in front of the Salem Post Office on Margin Street, travel down Derby and New Derby Streets to Hawthorne Boulevard, ending at the Salem Common. This year’s parade Grand Marshal is OUTVETS. Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. – The fourth annual North Shore Pride Festival will run from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., with a full schedule of live music including headliners XELLE. Non-profit, community, business, food and arts and crafts vendors will once again be on hand. The full entertainment line up is available at www. northshorepride.org. The festival is free for all to attend and is a family friendly event.

Saturday, June 20, 5 p.m. – The official North Shore Pride After Party will take place outside at Murphy’s Pub on Derby Street in Salem, with entertainment from DJ Andrea. 21+, $5 suggested donation at the door.

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Unity Pride: Open House pre- Why the LGBT movement mieres culturally inclusive should support the #Blacknetworking & social pro- LivesMatter movement he Balgram for Mass. residents timore BOSTON, Mass.—On Monday, June 29, a new socially progressive committee will hold an informative open house at Fenway Community Health, on Monday June 29, 2015 at 6 p.m., at Fenway Community Health, 8th Floor Conference Room.

“This networking event will be a great opportunity to introduce ourselves to the public. We will bring the larger community together to premiere the launch of our initiative to provide culturally inclusive programs, events and activities that unify the many marginalized groups we see here in Massachusetts. We’ll be showing the community what our mission is and the barriers we hope to overcome,” said Henry Paquin, chair of the committee.

Formed in the fall of 2014, the Unity Pride Committee will offer programs and events that emphasize inclusivity and the celebration of differences.

Within the last year, the nation has been rocked by a series of tragic incidents largely attributed to racism, transphobia, homophobia, religious intolerance, and misogyny.

From the tragic suicide of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, to the racial tensions that have arisen due to the high-profile deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York, and Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, the Unity Pride committee’s core mission is to simply bring people together from across the Bay State to celebrate the diverse cultures we come from. The committee will host educational sessions, social gatherings, networking events, volunteer opportunities and several other activities in the spirit of bringing people together. To learn more about the non-profit, visit www.unityprideboston.org.

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Rebellion has reignited a national discussion about police violence and racism and what relationship the LGBTQ movement should take to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Far from being two separate issues, the fights to make Black Lives Matter and win social justice and equality for LGBTQ people are interconnected. Below is a list of five reasons why the LGBTQ movement needs to build solidarity with and fight alongside the Black Lives Matter movement.

1. Institutionalized racism is an LGBTQ issue.

Some LGBTQ people are Black. This may seem obvious but it’s important to emphasize since it is unbelievable how commonly overlooked or ignored this simple point is. Understanding the interlocking oppressions that LGBTQ people experience means taking an intersectional approach to movement building that addresses the various oppressions that all LGBTQ people face—including racism. There can be no LGBTQ equality without racial justice.

2. Police violence is an LGBTQ issue. While they may not be household names like Michael Brown or Eric Garner, Black LGBTQ people are being directly targeted by police harassment, brutality, violence, and murder. For example, several months before Freddie Grey was killed by police in Baltimore, law enforcement agents gunned down Mya Hall (http://goo.gl/7BvNHE), a twenty seven year old black trans women.

The Unity Pride Committee is composed of eight volunteer members. Henry Paquin and Yovanny’s “Geo” Kenney co-chair the board along with Mike Givens, Angela Haynes, Giftson Joseph, Nicole Lashomb, Gricel M. Ocasio and Michael Williams Jr. Nathanael Bluhm serves as a special advisor to the committee.

Violence against trans people, trans women of color in particular, is at epidemic levels. According to official reports nearly a dozen trans women have been murdered in 2015 already (http://goo. gl/kXJMhB), many of them in very brutal and gruesome ways. In each of these cases it has been common practice for the media to misgender and smear these women and for law enforcement to not take investigations seriously, just like they did with Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and countless other victims of police murder.

Unity Pride is committed to the basic principle of inclusivity and acceptance amongst all people and is devoted to addressing disparities, acknowledging our commonalities, and celebrating the inherent beauty in diversity.

3. Mass incarceration is an LGBTQ issue.

Pushed out of their homes and schools, homeless LGBTQ youth are often times pressured by their desperate circumstances to engage in criminalized economies to survive. Broken Windows policing, Read the rest of this story at: http://wp.me/p22M41-3A6

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Worcester Pride turns the big 40

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orcester Pride celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and if last year’s attendance was high, this year’s should break records, according to organization officers.

person. Simply buy the ticket and e-mail worcesterpride@gmail.com the receipt with a note that you would like to donate this ticket to the youth or disadvantaged.

“We are so pleased that Pride has grown from a small gathering in 1975 until today,” said Pride President John Trobaugh, MFA. “Attendance has waxed and waned over the years, but last year was the biggest in attendance and attention! Pride had representation from nearly all Political contenders for state wide offices on the stage or in attendance.”

Worcester Pride’s annual Flag raising is at city hall and this year WP will have a rainbow flag fly over Union Station.

Although the main celebration occurs in the city of Worcester, WP serves all of central Massachusetts and has events and representation in North County as well as in the southern area of Worcester County.

“We also Pride ourselves on our diversity,” said Trobaugh. “We are an open and inclusive committee; we welcome all who would like to volunteer to make a difference!”

This year WP announced “Love Will Keep Us Together” as the theme for this year’s 40th Anniversary Pride Festival. The theme is representative of the number one song on the pop charts when pride was first celebrated in Worcester. The theme was chosen with the themed logo from the community feedback and forums held online and in person.

“Our events are throughout the year, but our Anniversary celebration will be June 7th at 3 p.m. and the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus will hold a benefit concert,” Trobaugh explained. “It will benefit Pride and Safe Homes, a Worcester area LGBTQ drop-in center for youth.”

Although it will benefit the community, the tickets are cost-effective, beginning at $20 plus ticketing fees. A supporter suggested if you couldn’t go, to buy a ticket for an area youth or disadvantaged

“We are very excited about Worcester City support!” said Trobaugh.

In addition, WP’s Parade will gather September 12th on Humbolt St. and “we will march” from 11-Noon to the Worcester Common on Main Street, according to the organization’s president.

The festival (noon-6 p.m.) features music, community and elected community leaders. The community organizations, political figures and vendors will be able to table at the festival as they have in previous years.

WP’s festival is the most family friendly of this region thanks to the Woo Church and their dedicated CORI-checked volunteers. This roped off area will encompass nearly one quarter of the available space on the common. Fun, games and more are planned for the youth. New this year will be a section dedicated to parenting too.

In honor of Marriage Equality and out modern families, we will have a Nuptial section of the program and table area. If you would like to get married or renew your vows, the Mayor has agreed to do a mass wedding ceremony during the festival.

“Bring your gowns and tuxes,” said Trobaugh.

“If your goods or services would appeal to the newly married or wedding planning please sign up and note this is the section you would like to be placed into!”

See Worcester Pride on page 46

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Springfield Mass Pride from page 24 made history by becoming the first openly gay individual to serve on the City Council. Rivera felt, like many in the community, that Springfield had never had a pride celebration. Rivera changed that. He immediately reached out to Holly Richardson, Executive Director of Out Now to assist in making a revitalized PRIDE that was inclusive of all young, to young at heart, all races, creeds and gender identities. The initial revitalized PRIDE committee was formed and featured a Flag Raising on the Steps of City Hall, an Open Mic Night, an amateur Drag Competition, and an official PRIDE Party.

The newly revitalized Springfield Pride has created a renewed sense of unity amongst the LGBT community. As a result, a local Imperial Court chapter was founded, a local LGBT Film Festival is now in its second year and an LGBT Center will soon open its doors. The current pride features events for all members of the community, regardless of age and ethnicity.

Springfield Pride today is comprised of Rivera as Chairman, and representatives from Oz/XRoom/ Pure Nightclubs, Bearhampton, Tapestry Health, Twist Nightlife Entertainment, Rebel Rise Enter-

Worcester Pride from page 45 We are partnering again this year with the Canal Fest group. Last year we shared a shuttle and marketing efforts. This year we are proud to announce the Canal Fire Block Party. After the Pride festival ends we move the Party to the Kelley Square tent, used during the day for Canal Fest.

We have dubbed it Canal Fire Block party, where we will offer more music and a beer garden. This is the adult after party that the community has been asking.

Worcester Pride Pageant 2015 is on and showcases the local LGBTQ talent. Miss Gay Worcester is the traditional Drag Queen Pageant. It has been in existence since the early days of Pride. In addition, WP created a Ms. Worcester Pride and Mr. Worcester Pride to great fanfare two years ago. The unique thing about this pageant is that it is a gender-neutral pageant. Each category is judged (scores are announced to the audience by local judges from a variety of backgrounds) based on the intent of the category, not the gender of the participant. Therefore, Miss Gay Worcester is a Drag Performance category. Ms. Worcester Pride is a feminine presentation, however the contestant chooses to express it. And the Mr. Worcester Pride

Prides from page 13 Court of Western Mass, fiscal agent for Springfield Mass Pride 2015, and Springfield Mass Pride board member.

“A huge component of Springfield Pride is that we are committed to providing a majority of our events free of charge, although some events do require an entrance/cover charge. Our events are open to all members of the public and are reflective of Springfield’s rich diversity.”

Other events will include the Third Annual Triple

tainment, Kim Rivera, and Kelly Klein and The Imperial Court of Western Mass Inc, which also serves as Pride’s fiscal agent. The revitalized Pride is also extremely proud of the partnership between its committee and The Rainbow Times. The Rainbow Times has given support in the forms of fiscal sponsorship and serving as the official media sponsor of Pride over the past several years.

Springfield Mass Pride week will take place from September 17, 2015 – September 22, 2015. For more information please contact Springfield Mass Pride on Facebook. Also, for an in-depth history on Springfield Mass Pride from 1994-2013, look on YouTube® for “This is who we are, Springfield Mass Pride,” a documentary by former PRIDE Committee Member Jason Toews, which chronicles the LGBT history in Springfield with regards to PRIDE from the 90’s until 2013. *Nelson Rafael Roman founded the Imperial Court of Western Mass Inc. in 2012, a nonprofit org. that raises funds for HIV/AIDS, LGBT, youth enrichment & other nonprofits in WMass. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Imperial Court of Western Mass (President), the Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Springfield, the AIDS Foundation of Western Mass, and Springfield MASS PRIDE. expresses a masculine presentation, however the participant chooses to express it.

“It was amazing to see the new scoring system work! Normally people get bored waiting for the next performer/set. But when the judges hold up their scores the entire audience is engaged and debates the score at their table!” said Trobaugh. “All winners are expected to volunteer in the community representing Pride with their favorite charity and of course attend Pride events.”

Last year, over 225 people watched the performances, turning away several dozen more. A larger location soon will be announced soon.

WP’s Planning Meetings are open to the public.

Typically, meetings are on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Check WP’s site or email WP to confirm the particular week you would like to attend: #35 Harvard St Worcester, MA. If you’d like more information about Pride or to schedule an interview please call John Trobaugh, Worcester Pride President at 774-262-4022 (Cell), or email: worcesterpride@gmail.com.

Corona Pageant, held by the Imperial Court of Western Mass; the Fourth Annual “Love UnitesSpringfield PRIDE” Interfaith Service; an open mic night and an LGBT film night.

The Springfield Mass PRIDE committee is made up of members from Tapestry Health, Oz/XRoom/ Pure Nightclubs, the Imperial Court of Western Mass, Bearhampton, area youth, and community supporters and leaders.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ SpringfieldMassPride.

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