Bringing PRIDE to the community

Neil Allen
Charlestown
To the editor,

On June 16, Claremont will be the host to its first-ever PRIDE event, Rural PRIDE 2018. The afternoon is going to be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the middle of town at the Visitor’s Center Green from noon to 4 p.m. 

There are plans to have many rainbows, entertainment, vendors, information booths and activities for the whole family as well as LGBTQ+ community members and allies — all together in one place. It has the makings for an amazing event.

As a bisexual transgender man, having a PRIDE event in my backyard is pretty awesome. I’ve never been to PRIDE, as I usually don’t have time or money to travel to any of the major hubs that hold PRIDE events. Now I have no excuse.

And, it is something I want to do because it is happening in my community.

Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals; and a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Before I started participating with Rural Outright, I didn’t think I needed an LGBTQ+ community. I didn’t have access to it in a formal way, so I relied on the few friends and family who were under the rainbow umbrella or allies and online groups, and it was good enough.

Then I found the community here in Claremont and started participating in it. And, I realized that I do need a community.

The LGBTQ+ community here is now my community. It is something I want to be a part of — not only with words but as an active participant. And, I will most definitely be at Rural PRIDE 2018. I will be representing the super supportive and affirming agency where I work and as a very proud and out member of the LGBTQ+ community.

I hope everyone who is a part of the ever growing LGBTQ+ community in and around Claremont will come to Rural PRIDE 2018 and help celebrate our history, our today, and our future. I cannot wait to see those I know in the community and to meet many more.

Most of all, I’m looking forward to hearing what members of the community need for support and what can be done to help create a strong and vibrant LGBTQ+ community here in Claremont. Please share your ideas at the TLC Family Resource Center and Rural Outright booths. Your voice matters.

For more information about the event, visit www.tlcfamilyrc.org/ruralpride.html.

 

Neil Allen

Charlestown