PRIDEfest 2022, June 8
On Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Network for Social Justice hosted their 2nd annual PRIDEfest. The event was brought together by the McCall QSA Club and WHS Spectrum Club students and advisors, many Winchester nonprofit and business partners, and of course the incredibly generous sponsors: Bryant Park Design, Fuller Cup, Frozen Hoagies, Recover Green Roofs, Dara Singleton of The Shanahan Group, Winchester Cultural Council, and WUSYG.
On June 8, 2022, the Network for Social Justice (NSFJ), in collaboration with the Town of Winchester, hosted its 2nd annual PrideFEST event on the Winchester Town Common. PRIDEfest is an annual community-centered event that provides opportunities for attendees to educate themselves about LGBTQ+ rights and issues, engage around Pride-related themes, and celebrate Pride as an artistic expression through music, crafts, and creative games in a myriad of ways.
Students, local businesses, non-profits, and faith-based groups were invited to participate in many different ways, and, as a result, this year’s festival included the addition of community-staffed tables. This was in addition to student-organized booths, , a mainstage with musical performances and speeches, and a DJ,. No matter what one’s propensity, there was a creative outlet to be found. This resonates with the overarching theme of diversity and inclusion.
Many of the participants were first-timers, who wanted to spread awareness on this important topic. WHS junior Alice Wang had a booth that focused on mental health awareness, an area of concern for the LBGTQ+ community. Her poster included statistics, QR codes for resources, and examples of organizations in MA that provide support for the community. As for the turnout, she thought it was great, and remarked that she “did not see a lot of high school students outside of the organizers and members of (WHS) Spectrum.”
WHS freshmen Celia Lavery and Maddie Syed created a booth highlighting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, specifically aimed at transphobia, that has been enacted in recent months across the US. “We picked this idea because it has a really strong impact on the community and everyone in the US, but it isn’t talked about enough and seems like a somewhat unapproachable topic.” Celia had participated in PRIDEfest last year and observed that it was bigger and more organized this year.
WHS freshman Stella Baker created an activity-centered booth focused on allyship, complete with an array of flag coloring sheets and markers. She thought it would be a fun way for kids to learn about and identify different identities/flags. The takeaway for the audience is to learn what an ally is and how to be one. This was her second year as a participant at PRIDEfest. “I chose to participate in PRIDEfest because I helped out last year and I really enjoyed working on it and wanted to be involved again.”
The main stage played host to a range of speakers, including representatives of NAGLY (North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth), McCall Middle’s QSA and Social Justice Clubs, and WHS Spectrum, in addition to a dance performance by Dance On Dance Center and a set by the student band Lint. According to the band’s lead guitarist Grace Bettencourt, “Pride is something important to Winchester and I am so happy to have taken part.“ She was a PRIDEfest organizer last year and was thrilled by this year’s turnout. She further added “I think music is really a big way for people to share opinions and break barriers, and it’s important to showcase queer artists. We did some David Bowie songs. He was so influential to the movement, and still is.” Other members of the band who performed on stage included Juliette Cluzel on bass, Will Bourne on guitar, and Gus Gregg on drums.
The different types of contributions from various members of the town provide a strong attestation for how Winchester supports the LGBTQ+ community. This and other similar events will go a long way in making sure that the queer community gains mainstream acceptance and is not the target of hateful and violent discrimination.