Articles from the Constitution State
Grand Opening
The Bridgeport Pride Center officially opened its doors to the community on June 17. It is the first Pride center to open in the city.
State Rep. Marcus Brown is serving as the Center’s interim executive director. Having a center in the city when Brown was growing up would have made a lot of difference told the crowd. “It would have made it a lot easier for me to come out.”
Along with a place for LGBTQ+ to gather and find support, the center will have a computer lab, a library and a game room for kids, reports Connecticut Public, which reports “While Bridgeport Pride Center received widespread support among residents and elected officials, Brown said hateful comments were made against the center on social media in recent weeks. Those comments make having a safe space to gather in-person even more important, Brown said.”
Hartford Pride
On September 14, Out in CT and CLARO (Connecticut Latinos Achieving Rights and Opportunities), will host their annual Pride event and concert on Church Street in Hartford. The yearly celebration always takes place on the second Saturday of the month, and this year’s performances and guests include Thea Austin, Ada Vox, Antonio Mercado and David Hernandez.
Leading up to Pride day, the host organizations are throwing a Pride Rainbow Ball at The Pond House restaurant in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.
Say the organizers, “Our annual Hartford Pride Fest and Concert is a family-centered event showcasing entertainment, food, local businesses, giveaways, activities and numerous community organizations. Hartford Pride provides New England’s LGTBQI+ community with a series of events throughout the year to celebrate the achievements, foster inclusion, educate and create awareness on issues impacting the LGTBQI+ community.”
More: hartfordpride.org
Bethel Pride, Molten Java open mic nights
Bethel CT Pride will continue to cohost their weekly Open Mic Night at Molten Java every Thursday night in September and October.
Attendees are invited to tell stories, perform music, recite poetry or showcase other talents. The event is for all ages, LGBTQIA+ inclusive and is free of charge, though coffee purchases are encouraged.
Those who wish to perform can receive a slot in-person, first come, first serve, when they arrive.
More: bethelctpride.com
Bob the Drag Queen
On October 13, Bob The Drag Queen will perform at College Street Music Hall in New Haven. Bob won season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race and recently emceed Madonna’s tour. Bob has won multiple awards including a GLAAD Media Award, a Peabody award and a Television Academy Honors award for his work on “We’re Here” Bob also cohosts the popular podcast, “Sibling Rivalry,” and debuted his music career with the EP “Gay Barz.” The performance in New Haven will combine comedy, music, and crowd work, and is intended for adults 18+.
More: collegestreetmusichall.com
Still going strong
For more than 40 years, Keith Brown has been producing and hosting Gay Spirit Radio program out of WWUH 91.3 FM radio in Hartford, Connecticut.
“He, the WWUH radio station staff and other historians believe it to be the longest continuously running LGBTQ+ radio show in the U.S., though there’s no official documentation to confirm that fact,” reports CT Insider.
“I have no reason to stop so long as I remain in good health and I have new material,” Brown said. “I almost never duplicate myself on the airwaves.”
According to CT Insider, Brown has been producing the show, which currently airs for one half hour on Thursdays, since 1983. The show features LGBTQ+ news, local events, community interviews and music by queer artists.
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