Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/19/2022
SPRINGFIELD – On April 5, Mayor Domenic Sarno joined with citizens and city officials to announce the city’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Parade.
The parade is set to take place on June 4 and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). According to the city’s press release, the event will feature music, dining options, giveaways and speeches delivered by the parade organizers and city officials. June is synonymous with Pride Month, with citizens and members of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transexual, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally) community alike celebrating progress in equity and inclusivity.
The Springfield Pride Parade continues to be a proactive advocate for LGBTQ+ perspectives. The organization previously created the Safe Space Initiative, which asks local businesses for a commitment against hate speech, hateful actions or aggressions against the LGBTQ+ community. So far, the initiative includes Dewey’s Lounge, TD Bank, Focus Springfield, White Lion and the Ethnic Study, according to the city’s press release.
CEO of Springfield Pride Parade Taurean Bethea expressed her excitement for the parade during the event’s announcement.
“My team and I are truly honored to produce Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade. 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.
In his address, 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.
Readers can learn more about the Pride Parade at https://www.springfieldprideparade.org/.