Date: 9/22/2021
Many Longmeadow residents are unaware that, on Sunday, a little piece of history took place on the Longmeadow Town Green. What? On our Green? Yes. It was the first Longmeadow Pride Celebration.
What a long way things have come. In 1985, the PFLAG (Parents and Friends) met in a undisclosed location. Fear of coming out or being “outed” could result in dire consequences. Many young people moved to the West Coast. Parents avoided mentioning their gay child in only the most general terms. “Oh, Joe. He’s doing fine, loves the weather there.”
Then the AIDS epidemic brought some focus to parents and the public in general. Who can forget Randy Shilts book, “And The Band Played On?”
Life moved forward. Rallies, prayer services. More books, ministry, Stonewall, and more parent groups.
The Gay community came together to support one another. Parents would talk about their gay child.
Community grew and persisted. The result has been a rethinking, what community means for us all.
Some of us smile, secretly thinking that who, 25 years ago would have imagined that on a Sunday afternoon there would be a community of pride on the Longmeadow Green. We all, kids, parents and community owe a sincere thank you for the folks who made this happen.
Marjorie Morgan
Longmeadow
