One year ago, heading into Pride season, the question was, would coronavirus cancel everything? LGBTQ New Englanders answered that with creativity and resiliency. Online programming. Socially distanced live events like flag-raisings and “Queer Car-avans.” Social justice rallies and marches for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) communities and trans folks that reminded us why we first celebrated Pride.
No pandemic would keep us from telling our stories, honoring our identities and sharing joy throughout our great, big diverse community.
Now, a year later, many if not most Pride organizers are taking a wait-and-see approach. Some especially larger gatherings have been postponed tentatively to the fall, or until 2022—though they’ll mark traditional dates this year with online events and Pride flag-raisings. Other groups are planning smaller affairs in their own town squares.
Large or small, Pride planners are updating their websites and social media networks as we move into Pride Season 2021. So keep checking their website for updates.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Pride
Boston, MA
Look for updates on a series of virtual events in June to mark Boston Pride’s 50th anniversary, including a City Hall flag-raising ceremony and the traditional Pride Lights ceremony to honor all lost and affected by HIV/AIDS. As for the Parade and Festival, with hundreds of thousands typically gathering to celebrate, Boston Pride has postponed these events to a yet-to-be-confirmed fall date.
Belmont Pride
Belmont, MA
Last summer, the Belmont LGBTQ Alliance celebrated their 20th anniversary. When Boston Pride (which the group had traditionally marched in) was forced to cancel its parade and festival, they held their own socially distanced walking parade right in Belmont. Belmonters can look for updates on the group’s Facebook page.
Berkshire Pride
Pittsfield, MA
berkshirepride.org; @berkshirelgbtqpride
While Berkshire Pride won’t hold an in-person festival in June this year, they’re planning on a Progress (or “Unity”) flag-raising at Pittsfield City Hall (which they’ve done the last two years). They’ll also support NAACP Berkshire County Branch’s plans for Juneteenth, which falls on the tradition date of their festival. They’ll publish an op-ed with Berkshire Immigrant Center for Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month (both in June), highlighting the intersection of these two communities. And they hope to do something in late summer or early fall, potentially around National Coming Out Day in October. Look for updates.
Cape Cod Pride
Hyannis, MA
Though their Pride festival remains canceled until 2022, Cape Cod Pride has a robust calendar of weekly online games, cocktail hours and other activities for the Cape’s LGBTQ community. Plus they regularly organize in-person hikes, kayaking and geocaching through Meetup.com.
Hingham Pride Project
Hingham, MA
This year, the Hingham Pride Project hopes to surpass the nearly 1,500 “Philadelphia” Pride flags they’d put up all over town in 2020 by giving out 4,000 Progress Pride flags to local towns and public schools.
They’re also working with other local groups on other initiatives, including an LGBTQ+ surf camp for kids, medically appropriate and inclusive sex education classes, a Pride-themed art installation at World’s End Trustees of the Reservation, an inclusive story time at the Derby Street Shops and educational workshops for the community.
On Sunday, May 16, you can support these initiatives by coming to “Pride Portraits” with Irish Eyes Photography from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Derby Street Shops. Or visit the website to order a flag and make a donation.
Hull Pride
October 2
Hull, MA
Hull Pride has postponed their annual shindig at the Hull Yacht Club to the fall, but on June 5 they’ll hold a virtual flag-raising ceremony. Look for updates on their web page.
Noho Pride
Northampton, MA
Noho’s Pride 2021 is postponed; see their site for updates and future events.
North Shore Pride
Salem, MA
Visit their website for updates.
NoWoCo Pride
North Worcester County, MA
Like so many LGBTQ orgs this year, NoWoCo Pride won’t hold a festival or parade this year due to COVID, but they ask folks to look to their website for future events … and they tell us, “We are planning something ‘villainous’ this fall,” presumably around Halloween time!
June 1—live, virtual Pride flag-raising in Leominster and Fitchburg
July 17—Live Virtual Pride Rally (via Facebook and Twitch)
Provincetown Pride
June 4–6
Provincetown, MA
Organizers say “planning is still fluid,” but their hopes are high. In careful compliance with state COVID regulations and “leveraging the outdoors,” here’s what’s in the works: “Provincetown Follies,” a Pride cabaret show at the Crown & Anchor on June 6; a Pride whale watch; a drag queen story hour; a drag brunch; and a few other surprises. Plus related events through June. (Also, while not a Pride per se, look out for Carnival Week, Aug. 15–21, with its “Somewhere over the Rainbow” theme. Who doesn’t want a little little Dorothy and Co. in our lives these days?)
Quincy Pride
June 6
Quincy, MA
Plans are in the works for a great line-up of “QPride” virtual events and possibly live outdoor events to be added. Check the website for dates and details. Here’s what’s in the works so far:
Early May—An “LGBTQ+ Optimism and Resilience” online program with a guest motivational speaker to be announced.
Late May—“Show Your Pride Campaign,” featuring the unveiling of the history of LGBTQ flag on Quincy Access TV plus a panel from the committee.
Sunday, June 6—”Q Pride Day” festival: Food trucks, games, drag queens, “Prideful Puppy” contest and more! noon to 4 p.m., Pageant Field.
Late June—A gay comedy show.
Scituate Pride
June 26
Scituate, MA
Scituate has a full line-up of virtual and otherwise physically distanced Pride events:
Saturday, June 4—Opening flag-raising ceremony
Thursday, June 10—“Straight Talk,” a South Shore Pride, multi-town online forum
Friday, June 18—Drive-in Movie Night, screening “Kinky Boots”
Tuesday, June 22—A presentation by Robyn Ochs
Saturday, June 26—Pride Walk from Scituate Middle School to Lawson Common and back.
Plus—Scituate’s Untold Brewery is planning a special Scituate Pride Month beer.
RHODE ISLAND
RI Pride
Providence, RI
Last year, RI Pride had to cancel its famous PrideFest and Illuminated Night Parade, but then brought together crowds of peaceful protestors for a Resistance and Resilience Rally for QTPOC/Trans Black Lives Matter, taking the same route as the state’s first Pride march held on the same date back in 1976. The organization has been very quiet over the past few months, but check their website for updates.
Newport Pride
June 25–27
Newport, RI
Organizers are busy creating events and “experiences to celebrate community, and promote love, acceptance, inclusivity and diversity of LGBTQ+ identities,” and they’re committed to doing so safely. So far, there’ll be a flag-raising on Friday, June 1 (also live-streamed); a 3-mile bicycle Pride Ride on Saturday, June 26; an Equality Park-Pride Market & Festival (date and time to be announced); and a fabulous new “Pride Pin” (for $5) providing deals at all the shops and businesses supporting the community. Pin proceeds support public art displays celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride in Newport. Visit the website for details and updates.
MAINE
Bangor Pride
Bangor, Maine
Bangor Pride will host a free “Stationary Pride” event at the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor on Saturday, June 26, starting at noon. Folks can drive or take a trolley through a standing exhibit of all their favorite organizations’ and businesses’ parade floats. For details, visit the Bangor Pride website.
Bar Harbor Pride
Bar Harbor, Maine
Last year, Bar Harbor Maine went online with Pride Across Maine. Visit their website for 2021 updates.
Central Maine Pride
Central Maine
Central Maine Pride also partnered online with Pride Across Maine last year. Visit their website for 2021 updates.
Dyke March Maine
Portland, ME
Usually held on the eve of the Pride Parade in Portland, Dyke March Maine joined Pride Across Maine virtually last year. See their Facebook page for 2021 updates.
Pride Across Maine
Maine
Last summer, 12 of Maine’s major LGBTQ groups joined forces to create a series of virtual events—including a virtual Pride Parade. Visit their website for updates and for more on participating partners.
Pride Portland!
Portland, ME
Pride Portland! partnered with Pride Across Maine’s virtual Pride Parade in 2020. Visit their website for 2021 updates.
Rockland Pride
Rockland, ME
In 2019, a group of demonstrators who gathered outside Rockland’s courthouse with signs and flags were hailed as the town’s first Pride. Last year, community members hoped to expand with picnics and a dance but then the pandemic happened, so locals decorated their porches and yards, businesses flew rainbow flags and the spirit of Pride prevailed. What will they do this year?
VERMONT
Pride Vermont
September 9–12
Burlington, VT
Pride Week in Vermont will be mostly virtual again this year but with in-person events added at the discretion of the state’s department of health and the governor’s direction. Keep a look out for updates!
Queer Connect Bennington
June 26
Bennington, Rutland, Manchester VT
Queer Connect Bennington kicks off this year’s Pride with their Pride Caravan on Saturday, June 26. Groups gather at various locations throughout Vermont, including Bennington and Rutland, and will then meet up in Manchester.
Rutland Pride
May 24—Pride visibility kick-off
June 6—Pride Story Hour (part of a summer-long series!)
June 12—Pride Festival and Drag hosted by Cedar Meadow.
June 26—Pride Caravan and Park Celebration
White River Junction Pride
White River Junction, Hartford and the Upper Valley, VT
In 2020, White River Junction in Vermont celebrated its first-ever Pride parade with a “Queer Caravan” of decorated vehicles rolling through downtown to the beat of LGBTQ+ performing artists playing over radio 93.9 The River. Plus they hosted virtual “Queer Author Panels” and a “Queer Dance Party.” What’s up for 2021? Watch website for updates.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Nashua Pride Festival
Nashua, NH
Last year, Nashua Pride went virtual. Look for 2021 updates on Facebook.
Portsmouth Gay Pride
Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth Pride is aiming to host a scaled-back event this June. No huge parade and rally with vendors, but partnering with other local arts organizations for a smaller, more people-limited event. … Meanwhile, they’re gearing up to go all out in October for Coming Out Day!
Pride Concord
June 5
Concord, NH
Join Pride Concord for a rally for LGBTQ rights at the Statehouse Lawn on Saturday, June 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Queen City Pride
June 19
Manchester, NH
The third annual Queen City Pride Festival takes place Saturday, June 19, at Arms Park from noon to 6 p.m. More to come on their website.
White Mountains Pride
North Conway, NH
White Mountains Pride Week and The White Mountains Pride Festival were just picking up momentum after their volunteer-based committee got going in 2018. But the North Conway–based group didn’t let the pandemic slow them down in 2020, with a full line-up of virtual events in June. Look for updates on their website and social media for what’s up this year.
Windham Citizens for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
June 26—Pride Festival, 1–5 p.m., outdoors at the Searles School.
CONNECTICUT
Fairfield County Pride in the Park
Norwalk, CT
While this family-friendly June festival for Connecticut’s most populous region has been postponed again in 2021, its host Triangle Community Center is putting on several smaller gatherings through June, including a women’s music festival, an open mic night, a family field day, a youth “silent disco” and more. See website for details.
Hartford Pride
Hartford, CT
Hartfordpride.com; @hartfordpride
Traditionally held in September, last year Hartford Pride’s Virtual PrideFest celebrated with a week-long showcase of local performers, artists, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Check their website for what’s in the works this year.
Pride New Haven
September 19–26
New Haven, CT
pride@newhavenpridecenter.org; @PrideNewHaven
New Haven Pride is tentatively planning a multi-day, outdoor concert program followed by their Pride Festival, which includes vendors, a big stage, food, artists and more. Plus they hope to hold a variety of panels and community conversations (primarily virtual) and their Mx PRIDE New Haven Pageant (hopefully an in-person/virtual hybrid). Check website and social media for updates.
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