'We want to teach youth that aren't of the LGBTQ community how to be solid allies, how to support one another, how to communicate with different orientations, genders, identities, and develop effective relationships,' Bethea said. He said the Springfield Pride Parade Organization will host a youth program at Springfield College for sixth through 12th graders.
'This parade and block party is for the LGBTQIA+ community, regardless of where you live.'īethea's work will continue well after the parade on Saturday. “We hope that our neighboring cities can participate in our celebration on Saturday,' Bethea said. Pittsfield is also hosting a Pride parade on the same day.īut Northampton and Boston are not moving forward with their parades this year. Organizers are working with MGM Springfield to throw a block party at Court Square after the parade. I just can't wait to see their their reaction to just this amazing parade, and just seeing the city come out and support them.' 'Our goal is to get the kids to own this,' he said. I'm a little bit of everything,' said Taurean Bethea, who's been organizing the parade for almost two years now.īethea said he hopes to inspire LGBTQ youth to be proud. start on Saturday, June 4, at Springfield Technical Community College, and is set to end at City Hall. The first Pride parade in Springfield, Massachusetts, is one of the only events like it happening in a major city in the Bay State this year.
