Boston Pride Green Initiative 2008
Earlier this year, our community voted and selected this years theme for Boston Pride: Sustaining our community, Conserving our World. In order to honor this theme, the Boston Pride Committee, is launching its first ever Green Initiative. This Green Initiative, a series of programs, events and practices, will start during this Pride Week, will continue over 2008 and will be expandedr in 2009 if successful.
Three major goals have been identified for this Green Initiative in 2008: The first goal is to make Boston Pride the first greener Pride in the nation by significantly Reducing our Carbon Footprint and Overall Impact on the Environment. The second goal of our Green Initiative is to Raise Awareness about Community Health Issues. Finally, the third goal of our Green Initiative is to Promote Community Unity.
If you would like to join us in this endeavour, please email us at green@bostonpride.org. Support us by making a donation to the Green Fund!
You will find below a listing of all events, programs and practices included in this year's Green Initiative.
Goal 1 - Reducing our Carbon Footprint and Overall Impact on the Environment
Recycling at Boston-Pride-produced events: Festival, Parade, Stuart Street Block Party and JP Block Party
Reduction in trash and maximization re-use of supplies like decorations, banners, signs at various events
Investment in durable equipment like mobile bars for our Block Parties
Reduction of the use of paper through online applications, virtual documentation, awareness message in emails
Promotion of the use of recycled paper for our various administrative and meeting needs
Quantify of Boston Pride's carbon footprint at the Festival, Parade, Stuart Street Block Party and JP Block Party
Concrete plan to offset our 2008 Carbon Footprint in 2009
Promotion of the use of public transportation, biking, car-sharing or use of hybrid/fuel-efficient cars to attend our events and meetings
Creation of a "Green Fund" to encourage financial contributions to Pride's Green Initiative and support and sustain this endeavor for the years to come
Promoting of our various vendors, sponsors and partners who have been recognized for their efforts in sustainability
Institutional sponsors: the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
Green Initiative corporate sponsors: Zipcar, the Hyatt Regency Boston, Poland Spring, and Save that Stuff
Goal 2 - Raise Awareness about Community Health Issues
Partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its Massachusetts Affiliate to raise awareness about breast cancer in the LGBT community in general and the lesbian community in particular
Partnership with AIDS Actions' Male Center and outreach to the gay male population on safer sex practices
Creation of smoke- and alcohol-free zones at the Stuart Street Block Party and the JP Block Party
Promotion of community events dedicated to health awareness through the year
Goal 3 - Promote Community Unity
Logistical, administrative and financial support for Youth Pride, Trans Pride, Latino Pride, Black Pride and this year, the newly-formed Senior Pride
Outreach to our sister Pride organizations with Festival, Parade placement
Creation of a "Pride Scholarship Fund" to collect donations in order to fund scholarships donated by Boston Pride to these pride organizations in Massachusetts and New-England
Reinforcement of cross-promotion and logistics between community organizations, specifically during Pride Week