June 11, 2016. Boston, MA. 2016 Boston Pride Parade and Festival. © 2016 Marilyn Humphries

June 11, 2016. Boston, MA.
2016 Boston Pride Parade and Festival.
© 2016 Marilyn Humphries

(Boston, MA) – July 1, 2016 – Boston Pride announced today that Pride Month, June 2016, combined a tremendous amount of engagement by the LGBT community, through the many events and activities sponsored by Boston Pride, with a time of sadness, as the organization joined with others to mourn the lives lost in the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub.

 

This year’s theme Solidarity Through Pride, resonated at every event, from the Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall Plaza on June 3, to the final Pride Month event sponsored by Black and Latin@ Pride, the LGBT Roller Bounce, on June 30.  The annual Pride Parade on June 11, was one of the most attended ever, with an estimated 500,000 spectators, 35,000 marchers, 257 contingents and 28 floats. Boston Pride thanks profusely its volunteers, sponsors and partners, who all made this large and diverse celebration of the LGBT community possible.

 

“Pride Month is a special time for the LGBT community and Boston Pride is grateful for the tremendous support we received from our hard working volunteers, our sponsors and everyone who came to our events,” said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. “Our theme, ‘Solidarity Through Pride’ took on a special meaning throughout Pride Month, especially in the aftermath of Orlando.”

 

After the shootings in Orlando, Boston Pride held moments of silence at the Back Bay and Jamaica Plain Block Parties, both previously scheduled annual events to mark Pride Month. Boston Pride joined Mayor Walsh and the community at the vigil for the Orlando victims on City Hall Plaza on Monday, June 13. In addition, Boston Pride supported a fundraiser organized on Monday, June 20, to benefit the victims and their families. “The attack in Orlando reminds us that we must continue to be out, to be loud, and to be proud if we are to achieve full equality.  We will continue to support each other and all of the members of our community by doing so,” Bruni said.

 

Boston Pride is an all-volunteer organization and Bruni says that all are welcome to help plan and staff next year’s events. The first production meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2016 at 6:30 at the Boston Pride office, 12 Channel Street, for those interested in volunteering for Boston Pride 2017.

 

Bruni also announced that there will be a series of events for Latin@ Pride Week in late September/early October and to visit the Boston Pride website for updates.

 

In addition, Boston Pride is asking for feedback through a community survey available on its website at www.bostonpride.org/survey

 

About Boston Pride

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections.  Pride Month 2017 will be held June 1-June 30 with the annual Parade on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

 

 

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