Vermont celebrates start of Pride Month with Essex Pride Festival
On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.
On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.
On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.
On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.
"We're just so stoked that people turned out, we didn’t quite know how many people were going to turn out. It's just really just been promoted on social media, word of mouth and the Essex community really just showed up and showed out to support LGBTQIA+ lives," said Kris Smith Thyme, the founder of Essex Pride.
At the festival, you could find a parade, live music, local vendors, and a drag queen story hour.
"It is also about inclusivity and visibility, letting our town, the students, all of the youth know that there are people here who support them and are going to come out for them," said Deja Murray, board member of Essex Pride.
A bit farther south in Montpelier, hundreds gathered on the state house lawn hosting their own festival.
"Montpelier Pride is lasting about a week and it started a couple days ago with a flag raising at city hall, there’s other events spread throughout the week but this is the main day of the festival," said Elaine Bell, an event organizer.
For one mother in particular at the festival, this is an especially important celebration and month.
"I’ve got a bunch of children with me. I've got three of my own and three of my friends that all identify or support and are allies. To me, I think it's just really important for the youth to feel loved," said Korinne Harvey, a Corinth resident.
Harvey also says the increase in awareness for the community and the month is crucial.
"These people have always been around and haven’t really felt safe or comfortable, so the more that we can be supportive of this community and normalize love and acceptance it's critical now more than ever," Harvey said.