Westport Pride is thrilled to announce a vibrant lineup of events and activities in celebration of June Pride Month. From the installation of a rainbow crosswalk to inspiring performances, engaging discussions, and inclusive community gatherings, Westport is set to become a hub of Pride and LGBTQ+ support throughout the month.
“We are thrilled to present the Westport Pride 2023 events, celebrating the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Brian McGunagle, President of Westport Pride. “This year’s lineup of events promises to be our most exciting yet, with something for everyone to enjoy. We invite people from all backgrounds to join us in embracing love, acceptance, and equality.”
Kicking off the celebrations on June 1, local community volunteers will come together to install a temporary rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Taylor Place and Jesup Road. This colorful crosswalk, a first for Westport, will proudly display the colors of the Pride Progress Flag and will be available for everyone to enjoy throughout the entire month.
On June 2, the Westport Public Schools Pride Coalition will host Pride Celebrations at Staples High School, Bedford Middle School, and Coleytown Middle School. These events will provide an opportunity for students and educators to come together and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
The highlight of the Pride Month festivities will be the Westport Pride Celebration, taking place on June 4, from 12-4 PM on Jesup Green. This community-wide event will feature engaging speeches and captivating performances by local members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Attendees can also look forward to a variety of entertainment options, kid-friendly activities, vendors, and mouthwatering offerings from food trucks.
Following the Westport Pride Celebration, Christ and Holy Trinity will host a Pride Eucharist at 5 PM on June 4th in the courtyard, inviting attendees to come together in a spirit of inclusivity and faith. Additionally, Temple Israel will hold a Pride Shabbat later in the month, further emphasizing the importance of religious acceptance and unity.
Westport Pride has partnered with the Westport Book Shop to present a special event on June 15th from 6:00-7:30 PM. Jo Wenke, a prominent writer, social critic, and LGBTQ+ rights activist, will share insights from “The Human Agenda: Conversations About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” and her other acclaimed works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
On June 17, 2023, starting at 5:00 PM, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) will host “All for Drag and Drag For All” presenting its family-friendly drag show: “Light Up the Night.” Attendees can expect an incredible showcase of talent, accompanied by an array of food trucks to enhance the experience.
Furthermore, throughout the entire month of June, the Westport History Museum will be conducting the LGBTQ+ Oral History Project. Recognizing the historical absence of queer narratives in community archives, Westport Pride aims to fill this void by collecting oral histories from LGBTQ+ individuals in the area. Participants are invited to book time slots for video or in-person oral history interviews with the museum’s staff, ensuring that their stories are heard and preserved for generations to come.
Westport Pride invites residents, neighboring communities, and allies from all walks of life to participate in these engaging events, fostering a sense of unity, love, and acceptance for all.
Westport Pride thanks the following generous sponsors for their support:
Rainbow Crosswalk: Dr. Nikki Gorman and Galia Gichon
Pride Month Sponsors:
Illume Fertility, Village Pediatrics, Circle Care Center, Dan Woog, The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists, LLC.
More information about our sponsors can be found here.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events, please visit Westport Pride’s official website at www.westportpride.org.
EVENT DETAILS:
Rainbow Crosswalk
Date: June 1 – June 30, 2023
Location: Taylor Place and Jesup Road, Westport, CT
Westport Public Schools Pride Coalition Pride Day
Date: June 2, 2023
Location: Bedford Middle School, Coleytown Middle School, Staples High School
Website: https://shs.westportps.org/students/clubs-and-activities/shs-pride-coalition
Westport Pride Celebration
Date: June 4, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Jesup Green, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT
Featured Guests:
• Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore, presentation of Pride Month Proclamation
• Senator Ceci Maher, Rep. Dominique Johnson, Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, presentation of State of Connecticut General Assembly Official Citation
Performances include:
• Echo Bodell
• Julie Cadrain
• Julie Loyd
• Andrew Maskoff
• Sarah Ferro
• Vicki Ferrara
• Stacie, Willa, Viv Shamie
• Nikki Sternberg
Speakers include:
• McLain Boege
• Tyler Darden
• Dr. Nikki Gorman
• Kayla Iannetta
• Rep. Dominique Johnson
• Dr. Mark Leondires
• Charlie Lukens
• Jamie Macokta
• Brian McGunagle
• Westport Weston Clergy Association
Pride Eucharist
Date: June 4, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Courtyard, Christ & Holy Trinity Church, Westport, CT
Website: https://www.chtwestport.org/
Pride Month Book Talk with Jo Wenke
Date: June 15, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Westport Book Shop, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT
Website: https://www.westportbooksaleventures.org/
All for Drag and Drag for All Presents: Light Up The Night
Date: June 17, 2023
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, CT
Website: https://mocawestport.org/events-calendar/westport-prides-all-for-drag-and-drag-for-all/
LGBTQ+ Oral History Project
Date: June 1 – 30, 2023
Time: By Appointment
Location: Westport Museum, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT
Website: https://westporthistory.org/events/pride/
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