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Date: 5/23/2023
SPRINGFIELD — To bring visibility and inclusivity to the LGBTQIA+ community, the city of Springfield will host a parade and fundraising gala during Pride Month.
The Springfield Pride Parade will return for a second year on June 3. Founder Taurean Bethea said the parade will begin on the STCC campus, 1 Oliver St.
All parade participants will gather at 10 a.m. for a “party before the party,” said Bethea. There will be a DJ, photo booth, Starbucks serving coffee and pastries and more.
At 12 p.m., the parade will kick off and make its way down State Street, right on Main Street and into Stearns Square in downtown Springfield.
From 12:30 to 9 p.m., a block party will take place in Stearns Square. Here, there will be vendors, food, performances and more. The party will be hosted by local drag queen Ruby Monroe and Kenneth Kyrell will be the DJ.
Bethea said it will be “tons of fun to celebrate and support one another.”
He noted that the parade and block party will be open to any volunteers who would like to participate.
Bethea went on to share the story of how the Springfield Pride Parade was created.
“It starts with my coming out story,” he said.
When residing in New York, Bethea was able to live life freely and realized those in his hometown community of Springfield did not have the same ability to live that way.
Following the suicide of a 12-year-old Springfield boy — a result of the bullying the child received because of his sexual orientation — Bethea decided to share his truth.
“I publicly came out at 37 because of that young man,” said Bethea, explaining he felt his work in life was to be an advocate for and help those individuals.
“So much needs to be done in this community, in this city,” Bethea added.
He ultimately decided to step away from his corporate position and pursue his passion.
In 2021, Bethea launched the Safe Space Springfield initiative, along with the first flag raising at City Hall and announcement of the inaugural pride parade in 2022. Its purpose was — and still is — to show support and visibility that has not previously existed.
The Safe Space initiative started in four local businesses and is now in over 20 businesses.
The parade is a “megaphone” to these initiatives, Bethea said.
At the first pride parade, 500 people had signed up to participate, but on the day of, there were 6,500 in attendance.
The 2022 slogan was “It’s time.”
“It felt like we needed it,” Bethea said. He recalled everyone on floats, marching and hopping in as the parade made its way through the city.
“[It is a] day of love, pride [and] everyone comes together as one,” he added.
Bethea said there are about 60 organizations signed up to participate, which comes with a minimum of 50 people per organization.
He shared that they are on track to have more participation and plan to be “bigger and better” than last year.
Since the organization’s establishment, Bethea said it has “grown so much” with new programs and fundraisers to launch.
One of the fundraisers includes the You Ball, which is set to take place on June 1 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield.
The event is hosted by Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Wesley Days Jr.
All You Ball funds will go to the Safe Space initiative and potentially expand into other Springfield events.
Bethea explained that it is a fundraiser gala, inspired by the MET Ball. The theme is the Fabergé egg. The Fabergé embodies beauty, uniqueness and esteem, with variations of the art including diverse colors and styles — like a human — coming in different colors, styles and uniqueness, yet everyone is one.
“It will be glitz, glamour [and] beautiful,” said Bethea.
As this is an inaugural event, he is hoping it is a “huge success.”
The fundraising goal is $75,000.
Bethea noted that many businesses have been coming on board to sponsor a table at the event. Tickets and tables are still available for anyone to purchase. For information on general admission and table sponsorship, visit springfieldprideparade.org/youball.
To enter to win two tickets in an Instagram giveaway, follow @springfieldprideparadeorg.
During the You Ball, some awards will be handed out including the Against All Odds Award for an organization that has “triumphed through adversity and made a great difference for the community,” Bethea said. That award recipient is Play It Smart MN LLC, which works to disrupt and demolish the School-to-Prison-Pipeline and improve opportunity and equity in education by getting rid of literacy gaps.
There is also a Legendary Award which will be given to Caulton-Harris for her “lifetime commitment in helping the LGBTQIA+ community,” Bethea shared.
A $3,000 sponsorship will be awarded in partnership with White Lion Brewing to a local high school student making their way to college.
Live entertainment will fill the ballroom with a band, DJ Kyrell and other special performances.
“We are super happy to partner with MGM on this,” Bethea said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
He went on to say, “We want to make sure people have a great time and come together to show support.”
Bethea thanked the various sponsors including MassMutual, STCC and the city of Springfield, to name a few.
To learn more about the Springfield Pride Parade or You Ball, visit springfieldprideparade.org.