The City of Springfield, Massachusetts with hold its first Pride parade on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The parade will begin on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College and march to a reception at Center Square in front of City Hall. Parade and reception, which includes music, food, giveaways and speakers, are hosted by the Springfield Pride Parade organization.
“My team and I are truly honored to produce Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade,” ” said the organization’s CEO and founder Taurean Bethea in a press release.
“The important work of creating an atmosphere of inclusivity for our LGBTQ+ youth in the city of Springfield extends to public health, education, addressing the high rates of homelessness experienced by LGBTQ+ youth, and allowing our youth of this beautiful community to be seen and celebrated,” said Bethea.
Reports the Springfield Reminder:
[In his address earlier this month announcing the parade, Springfield Mayor Domenic] Sarno articulated his support for the LGBTQ+ community, sharing that events like the Pride Parade stress equitable treatment across the city.
“As a longtime member of Mayors Against LGBTQ Discrimination, I am proud to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community to remind all that each of us deserves the same level of equality and respect. This month in particular, we honor those who have fought for equality for our LGBTQ+ community and recognize that respecting the rights of all makes for a better city and community,” said Sarno.
Partners for the parade include the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, STCC, Mass Mutual, Baystate Health, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and MassLive among others. Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee also expressed their support for the parade.
“We plan to tap their enthusiasm and energy when we come together in June to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in partnership with Springfield Pride,” said Caulton-Harris.
More: Springfield Pride Parade
Not a subscriber? Sign up today for a free subscription to Boston Spirit magazine, New England’s premier LGBT magazine. We will send you a copy of Boston Spirit 6 times per year and we never sell/rent our subscriber information. Click HERE to sign up!
