By Dan England

WESTPORT — The local LGBTQ community and its allies turned out in force Sunday to celebrate Westport Pride for a third year.

Despite the cool, cloudy day, the Jesup Green gathering — planned in conjunction with Pride Month celebrations nationwide during June — radiated a warm spirit of inclusivity and diversity.

One of the speakers, Elizabeth Falk, sporting a not-to-be-missed rainbow dress, summed it up: “It almost feels like our first Pride two years ago. In the 12 years I’ve lived here, it was the most welcoming, beautiful experience and it just continues to be and that’s why I’m here. 

“What a positive image it is to say that we in Westport accept you for who you are,” she added.

Sunday’s Pride Celebration was organized as one in a series of local events by Westport Pride during June, highlighting its mission “to create an affirming culture in Westport that supports the full LGBTQ+ community and serves as a beacon to all,” according to the group’s website. 

The group was founded by Westport resident Brian McGunagle in 2021 after asking himself, “What does the Westport LGBTQ community look like? What would we need as a group to identify needs for LGBTQ people?”

Dr. Mark P. Leondires, founder and medical director at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be, described how he and his husband experienced that spirit of acceptance when they moved to Westport: “It’s an amazing community. I am so happy that Brian [McGunagle] just made this event so outstanding, and I am honored and privileged to be here. 

“Westport was the place where I felt safe to come out as a professional and become a parent,” he said.

“Even though, as a reproductive endocrinologist I knew how everybody else had a family, I had to work out my own pathway to parenthood,” Leondires added. “Now my work is fertility guidance and helping gay parents-to-be reach their goals. We are a fully inclusive practice, so everybody should feel safe.” 

The journey from feeling isolated to connection and acceptance was tough for Jamie Machotka, too. As a trans man he said he is relieved to now find more people who share his experience but, “… It’s still difficult. Even now, I can’t go to Disney World. Still, I jokingly say I come out every five seconds and I also say that my wife does a lot of coming out for me. I’m 40 and I think my mom would say I first I came out when playing house with friends in preschool and said I would only be the dad or the dog!

“Despite the early trauma, things seem to have settled down. I’m happy to tell you my wife and I have been together 14 years and married for eight,” Machotka said. 

“So, dreams do come true. But you have to sometimes go through a few things,” he added with a wry smile.

Arguably, the most captivating speaker was Charlie Lukens, a teenage lacrosse player who came out to his family in sixth grade. Despite great support at home, life as a gay teen can be tough.

“I’m not gonna lie, middle school was an extremely hard time for me,” Lukens said. “There were moments when I felt it would never get better. I was the only gay person I knew, and I didn’t understand that others were struggling like I was.  Looking back, I could have truly benefitted from hearing from others like me.  So that’s why I’m here today. I’m here to tell you it gets better.

“Since third grade, a huge aspect of my life was lacrosse, but I found myself on the outskirts of each team circle,” Lukens said. “Eventually, I learned to get along with a lot of different people. I gained leadership skills, and I vowed that I would play lacrosse again. I’m proud to say that I did this past season.”

The celebration, one of several local Pride Month observances, prompted Selectwoman Andrea Moore to say, “It makes me proud to be in Westport, especially as a public official. The town has fully supported Westport Pride, culminating in putting the crosswalk in.”  

Moore was referring to a rainbow-colored crosswalk installed early Thursday at the downtown intersection of Jesup Road and Taylor Place.

“It’s now being tested for wear with traffic, both feet and tires, and the weather, of course,” added Moore, who was one of several officials and other volunteers who helped to install the crosswalk. “If it proves satisfactory, we could leave this here or do others in town.”

The event’s storytelling was punctuated with music, including songs with their own stories. 

For attendees like the Lee family, Kin, Deanna and Colette, it was an afternoon well spent. Asked why they had come, as they made their way over the rainbow crosswalk, Deanna said simply: “It just seemed like a good thing to do.” 

Dan England is a freelance writer.