Articles from the Constitution State
Rainbow flag dispute
After a 6-5 vote by its town council in late January, Enfield, Connecticut has a new policy that prohibits any flag except that of the US, the state and POW/MIA from flying on town property. The move was motivated, according to outraged residents, by those who want to keep the rainbow flag from flying over town hall during Pride month, a resolution that had gone into effect in 2022.
“They just don’t want anything to do with gay pride,” Councilor at Large Cindy Mangini told Fox TV-16. “To dismiss people’s feelings and beliefs is wrong.”
Mangini and others are now encouraging residents to proudly fly their Pride flags on their own property and are planning protests against the new measure. —RP
Drag story hour back on in Enfield
A drag story hour, also in Enfield, that had been canceled after threatening comments were posted online, is back on track thanks to an outpouring of community support and an assurance of security from the event’s host venue.
Reported the Hartford Courant earlier this month, Enfield Pride’s president, Rev. Dr. Greg Gray, one of the threatening postings came from a person holding a gun in their profile photo. Gray explained to the Courant that previous Enfield Pride events have received backlash, but the threatening comments about this event felt different to him.
But earlier this week, CT Insider reported:
“Two weeks after canceling a drag story hour that drew both enthusiasm and severe criticism from the community, Enfield Pride will hold the event after all at a local college campus.
“The group — with a mission to promote community, fellowship, and support around LGBTQ+ issues — on Tuesday announced that the drag story hour will be held April 20 at CT State Asnuntuck. The community college will be hosting Enfield Pride’s event at 10 a.m. in its library and providing campus security.
“’We have received so many messages of support from the queer community and our allies, so we are expecting a big event,’ said the Rev. Greg Gray, pastor of Enfield Congregational Church and president of Enfield Pride. Just seconds after he posted the announcement online, around 50 people responded that they would attend or were interested in attending.”
Locals rally to save bakery
For years, the Bakery on Maple in Bristol has been proactively welcoming to the LGBTQ community, with their rainbow cupcakes and Pride flags festooning the shop’s windows. A few weeks ago, owners Erika and Dave Landi shared via social media they were facing financial hardship, and they said this in part was due to their open support of social justice issues.
“When the bakery started I knew what I wanted to do, what I didn’t know was the toll it might take on the business. I’ve given back to this community publicly and privately and have done so in many different ways,” posted Erika. “I have also used my bakery’s platform to stand with and support the LGBTQ community even though it’s cost me customers and revenue. I still stand with them because they deserve that. But now I’m asking for your support because I’ve given everything I can.”
The support came quickly, with a line of customers waiting outside for the shop to open their doors the next morning plus a GoFundMe.com page started by a neighbor, according to the Hartford Courant.
In a follow-up post, the Landis wrote, “With the amount of love we saw and kindness we felt, we can’t help but to keep trying.” —RP
More: gofundme.com/f/help-bakery-on-maple
Open mic in Bethel
Thursday afternoons through March and April, Bethel CT Pride and Molten Java are continuing their weekly open mic nights.
Participants can perform poetry, music, storytelling or other talents. The event is LGBTQIA+ inclusive and free of charge, though attendees are encouraged to purchase drinks in support of Molten Java. Anyone who wants to perform must sign up in person at the event, and slots can fill up.
The fun starts each Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. [x]
More: bethelctpride.com
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!
