Found in Westport: Pride celebrations
Westport Pride, a Westport, CT-based organization focused on creating a more welcoming and connected community for Westport’s LGBTQ+ residents, is pleased to announce its upcoming schedule of events for the community’s inaugural Pride Month celebration.
The events, which will be held virtually and/or in-person throughout the month of June, aim to bring residents together to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ residents, issues, and concerns; increase understanding through education and intersectionality; provide support, mentorship, and inspiration to the community’s future leaders; inspire advocates into action; and sharing the community’s pride, culture, and accomplishments.
“We’re really excited to bring together Westport residents from all walks of life to celebrate Pride Month for the first time,” said Brian McGunagle, founder of Westport Pride. “This is a real opportunity for Westport to show that it’s the inclusive and artistic community that it purports to be.”
2021 Westport Pride Month events include: June 2: Westport Pride: LGBTQ+ History; Past, Present and Future – A Panel Discussion, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted by LGBTQ+ Activist, Soccer Coach and educator Dan Woog, who will serve as moderator. Panelists include Brian McGunagle, Founder, Westport Pride; Kayla Iannetta, Staples High School GSA Faculty Advisor/District GSA Chair; and Members of the Staples High School Gender/Sexuality Alliance. This virtual event will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; for more information and to RSVP, please visit https://bit.ly/3fiimcp
June 4: Staples High School Inaugural Pride Day Celebration, 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Staples High School will be making history by hosting its first ever Pride Day celebration this year, Friday June 4th, to celebrate the history and resiliency of the LGBTQ+ community. This is a first for any high school in Connecticut. Hosted by the Staples High School Gender/Sexuality Alliance (GSA), the event will include the school community wearing rainbow, making rainbow bead bracelets and student designed Pride buttons with the Staples Library, selling Pride temporary tattoos and vinyl stickers, and the GSA will be playing an all-queer artist playlist the entirety of lunch.
You Be You Tee.
As part of the celebration, the GSA will host the first Staples Pride Art Show featuring anonymous submissions from the queer Staples community. This event is only available to Staples High School students and faculty. For more information on the event, including how to submit your artwork, visit https://bit.ly/3bnZRSE
June 5: Westport Pride Rally, Jesup Green, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.Westport Pride’s first in person event is not to be missed! The entire community is invited to celebrate Westport’s first-ever Pride Rally. The rally will feature a select group of community speakers, performers, local clergy as well as political leaders who will gather to celebrate this inaugural event. Jim Marpe, Westport Selectman will be issuing a proclamation declaring June Pride Month in Westport. The town will also fly a pride flag on Jesup Green in honor of the event. There will be children’s art activities, pride merchandise and swag, and educational materials on hand. Speakers include: Brian McGunagle, Founder, Westport Pride John Dodig, Principal, Staples High School (ret) Kayla Iannetta, Staples High School GSA District Chair Members of the Staples High School Gender/Sexuality Alliance Jessica Bengtson, Chef and Proprietor, Amis Trattoria and Terrain Café Dan Woog, LGBTQ+ Activist, Soccer Coach and educatorRozanne Gates, LGBTQ+ Activist, founder of Fairfield County Pride
Performances by:Samantha Webster ’20, Ben Zack ‘20, Emily Desser ‘21 – The Staples PlayersAlex Watzman, Ben Zack, Camille Foisie – a Staples Senior Quartet Colin and A.J. Konstanty – Staples ’21 and Cornell ‘24Madelyn Spera – singer-songwriter, guitarist, and Staples High School StudentSuzanne Sheridan – singer-songwriter, https://suzannesheridanmusic.com/Julie Loyd – singer-songwriter, http://www.julieloydmusic.com/
Select Appearances by: Bob Duff, Connecticut State Senator, Majority Leader
Jonathan Steinberg, Connecticut State Representative
Jim Marpe, First Selectman Westport
Jen Tooker, Second Selectwoman, Westport
June 6: Pride Eucharist – Christ and Holy Trinity, 5 p.m.This is a come-as-you-are in-person service of scripture, song, prayer, and Holy Eucharist in the Christ and Holy Trinity Courtyard (or spaced out in Branson Hall if it’s cold or raining.) More information at https://chtwestport.org
June 15: You Be You Spirit Day – Westport Elementary Schools, 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.You Be You, started by a Coleytown Elementary student in 2019, celebrates each person’s uniqueness and what makes them special. Westport Pride will be cosponsoring “You Be You Spirit Day” at the Westport Elementary Schools. This is a first for any elementary school in Connecticut. The Spirit Day theme is “What Makes You Shine?” There will be school activities including a Staples High School student created video, suggested book readings, and a self-portrait art project. Your child (and you too!) can proudly wear a “You Be You” t-shirt to school on June 15 available at http://www.westportpride.com. A portion of the proceeds from t-shirt sales will go directly to Westport Pride.
June 25 – August 21: MOCA Summer Exhibition – Love Wins MoCA Westport is pleased to announce Love Wins, an exhibition highlighting the issues, themes, and conversations of our local LGBTQ+ Communities and beyond. The exhibition will feature artists Patrick Perry and Noah Fox, as well as a site-specific mural designed by Poppy Livingstone (SHS ’21) of Westport Pride. Additional events and programming will accompany this summer-long exhibition. More information at https://mocawestport.org/
June: Pride Banner and Rainbow Lights on Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen BridgeWestport Pride and Staples High School’s GSA in partnership with the Westport Downtown Association will be featuring an 11-foot banner on the bridge as well as rainbow lighting at night for the month of June. The banner was designed by GSA member Claire Hanley (SHS ’21). More information at https://westportdowntown.com/
June: Westport Pride Lawn Signs @ Baker Graphics
Support Westport Pride with our new lawn signs – Pride in Our Town. Pride In Each Other. Available during June for $10 at 1753 Post Road East Westport, CT during regular business hours.
June – August: Summer of Love | Merchants of Pride – Various Locations
Merchants will be offering pride themed items, events and more. A portion of sales will benefit Westport Pride. A list of merchants is available at this link: https://bit.ly/3wd56wy
July 22: Westport Library | Westport Pride Book Club – Last Call
Told in depth for the first time, LAST CALL is the gripping true crime story of The Last Call Killer, who preyed upon gay men in New York in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Yet because of the sexuality of his victims, the murders at the hands of this notorious serial killer have been almost entirely forgotten. This socially important piece of history is a nuanced testament to the vibrant gay community and the challenges they faced in the post AIDs milieu of early 90s New York City. This virtual event will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; for more information and to RSVP, please visithttps://bit.ly/3okAO8b
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