WESTPORT — The annual Westport Pride Celebration will take place Sunday on Jesup Green.
Featuring performances, speeches, activities and vendors celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and allies, the gathering is set from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2, on the downtown green.
“This event is a celebration of our diverse and vibrant community,” Brian McGunagle, the founder of Westport Pride, said in a statement announcing the celebration. “We are excited to bring people together to honor the progress we’ve made and to continue advocating for equality and acceptance for all.”
In close proximity to Jesup Green is one of Westport Pride’s most visible initiatives — a multi-colored Rainbow Crosswalk installed by the town at Jesup Road and Taylor Place last year.
State Sen. Ceci Maher will present a General Assembly citation recognizing Westport Pride’s community contributions, and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker will issue a proclamation designating June as Pride Month in Westport.
Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and the Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church will offer prayers and blessings.
Among the scheduled performers are Bridget Reddy, the Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell and Jonathan Ridel of the Rubber Skulls. Drag queens Latin Doll and Bleach also will make appearances, according to event organizers.
Writer Nikkya Hargrove will discuss and sign copies of her new novel, “Mama — A Queer Black Woman’s Story of a Family Lost and Found.”
Activities will include arts and crafts, face painting and yard games.
Food trucks and a variety of vendors also will be on hand.
Twenty five years ago, my husband, also a lawyer, had a client who was a VP at a Fortune 500 co. The man was gay but confided he had to marry his partner’s sister to act as a beard at company events It was sad this individual was so insecure, so ashamed, he felt this sham marriage was necessary. In actuality, no one would have noticed if he came to a company picnic solo. In fact, some married men might have envied his single status. Some women would have eyed him as a catch..
Fast forward to this event to be held Sunday on the Jesup Green with new signage of Westport Pride and the words emblazened “educate,elevate,empower,”
There are those taxpayers who support this mantra. But there are an equal number of Westport taxpayers who see things from the other side and object to the town again speaking as though we are in lockstep. We are not.
If being gay is part of who you are, just as having blonde hair or brown eyes, why raise a flag, wave a sign, color a crosswalk or have a parade? Is there a monument to straight kids in town? A straight crosswalk? A straight flag or t-shirt?
Just be proud of who you are, whoever you are, and act like this is no big deal. Because it isn’t.
Call me crazy, but maybe the LGBTQ folks celebrate Pride now because of the historic discrimination and persecution that they have faced. They had to live their lives in secret, hiding who they were. Now they are able to, well, proudly be themselves in public. It is something that I am happy they can celebrate
Straight people have written the history and the rules for centuries. They don’t need a “straight crosswalk.” They’ve already had it. I can’t believe I have to reply to a comment like this. You sound like the person who asks “when is White History Month” when, in fact, EVERY month is white history month.
If you are against, “education, elevation, and empowerment” that is probably a sentiment best kept to yourself.