SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Unitarian Universalist Church, Springfield Town Library and VINE Sanctuary invite all to help celebrate Pride Month by enjoying a rainbow of plant-based food while learning about LGBTQ history. This free event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome whether or not they are vegan, LGBTQ, or bring a dish to share.
The meal and presentation will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 24 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 21 Fairground Road, Springfield, Vermont.
Since dietitians encourage everybody to “eat the rainbow” by incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables into diets, and since many people have LGBTQ people in their families and communities, organizers hope to see a big crowd at the Pride Month Vegan Potluck, they said in a newsletter.
The rainbow flag has served as a symbol of LGBTQ pride. LGBTQ people and their friends, family members, and allies recognize June as “Pride Month” in remembrance of the events of June 1969, which are seen as the beginning of the modern movement against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, according to organizers.
In celebration of both Pride Month and the rainbow of flavors offered by fruits and vegetables, potluck participants are encouraged to bring dishes that incorporate as many colors as possible. Prizes will be awarded to the most colorful entree, side dish, and dessert.
VINE Sanctuary co-founder Pattrice Jones, who has participated in the LGBTQ movement since the 1970s and has taught LGBTQ Studies courses, will offer an engaging talk on the history of LGBTQ activism between entrees and dessert. This event is co-sponsored by the Springfield Town Library, and a reading list of relevant titles available at the library will be provided.
Since several volunteers will be bringing more than one dish to share, everyone is welcome to attend, even if they do not bring something to share. The only requirement is that any food brought to the potluck must be vegan, which means free from any animal products such as meat, dairy, or eggs. People who would like to try making a vegan dish but don’t know where to start can visit VegWeb.com or VegKitchen.com to search for recipes.
VINE Sanctuary is an LGBTQ-founded, nonprofit farmed animal refuge based in Springfield. More than 600 animals — including birds, goats, sheep and cows seized by Vermont authorities in cases of extreme cruelty or neglect — live at the 100-plus-acre sanctuary. In addition to caring for sanctuary residents and promoting respect for animals, VINE advocates for social and environmental justice.
VINE has worked for many years to understand and explain the linkages among animal exploitation and social injustice as well as the benefits of a unified effort to end violence of all kinds. Brochures about those linkages will be available at the event, and organizers said they expect the resulting discussion to be lively.
For more information on Vine Sanctuary, visit www.vine.bravebirds.org.
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