It was Northampton that held the first Pride march in the area, and those who participated walked down the Main Street of a very different America. The year was 1981. Non-heterosexual citizens held virtually no legal protections as employees, as tenants, as prospective home buyers or as parents looking to adopt or take in foster children. Gender, gender-identity and sexual orientation were not considered defining factors of a federal hate crime until 2009.
This weekend, the local nonprofit Noho Pride celebrates the arrival of LGBT Pride season in New England with the city’s 35th annual Pride day — the first since the Supreme Court’s ruling last June that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. This weekend’s colorful festivities — from family-friendly fairgrounds fun to sweaty, head-bangin’ 2 a.m. dance parties — are expected to draw tens of thousands of diverse participants. The plan, according to flyers, is to “Celebrate 35 years of Love. Strength. Progress.”
Grab some shades. Pack water and sunscreen. Blast Lemonade. (or, hey, Prince, Bowie, CCR, whatever you want). It’s time to celebrate ourselves and our human rights for what they are: not just political, but spiritual, personal, and communal.
“There is always injustice to fight.”
The Honorable J. Mary Sorrell is a local Justice of the Peace and wedding officiant who has married more than 700 heterosexual, same sex, and transgender couples over the past five years. She got involved with the Northampton Pride march in 1982, and is now a core organizer. The Advocate talked with her last week about was has changed, and what hasn’t, since those first years.
Advocate: What was organizing this event like in the early days?
Sorrell: It’s evolved so much. Back in 1982, when it was called the Lesbian and Gay Liberation March, getting 500 or 1,000 people to come out was an ambitious endeavor. Today, we have about 20,000 people coming out. And the number of allies and allied groups that have built up over the years is tremendous — that includes school groups, church groups, and progressive organizations.
Advocate: In many parts of America, social norms are changing. Do you think participants still consider the parade a political act?
Sorrell: Some of that is generational. I’m closer to being an older lesbian than a younger one, and I always think of this event as a march. The word “parade” doesn’t work for me, although it does for others. I think we’re still marching — we are not completely free yet. But compared to 35 years ago, there is so much to simply celebrate and feel relaxed about. It’s become a sort of party, and that’s okay, as long as we don’t lose sight of our brothers and sisters who need support and help around the globe. I’m a big believer in the idea that there is always injustice to fight.
Advocate: For you personally: what’s the best thing about Pride?
Sorrell: Just the sheer number of people that show up! That energy and enthusiasm is incredible. It never feels stale. This is something that we all own together.
Parade is Saturday @ Noon rain or shine
The parade route is just over 1 mile long, and may take up to 90 minutes to march.
Parade route:
The parade leaves the staging area on Hampton Avenue at noon sharp.
[Right] onto Old South Street
[Right] onto Main Street
[Under] the train tracks and continuing onto Bridge Street
[Right] onto Fair Street
Arriving at the 3 County Fairgrounds, where there is…
FREE PARKING!!!
Stage schedule:
Events on the Pride fairgrounds stage begin at 1:30 p.m., with appearances by:
Comedian, actress, and emcee Cindy Foster
Musician, filmmaker, and DJ Ephraim Adamz
Boston/Amherst electro grrrl band Solo Sexx
Poet, storyteller, and artist Ayisha Knight Shaw
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz
River Valley Co-op’s Queen Mary Band
Plus drag queen and drag king performances by:
Felicia Forrestor, Hors, Mia E Z’lay, Galaxy La’Foxx, Serenity Lockhart, Veronica Bow, Devin Graberass, Izzy MJ, Tytannia Loveless Lockhart, Justin Syder, Ivanna, Loo D’Flyest Priestly, Britney K O’day, and Leo Crayz
Northampton Pride PARTIES
FRIDAY
The Official Northampton Pre-Pride Drag Dinner and Dance Party
Union Station Grand Ballroom, 125 Pleasant St.
From 7 p.m.-9 p.m.: Drag Dinner, hosted by Felicia Forrestor (doors open at 6)
$30/person (includes buffet dinner, show, and admittance to the DJ dance party from 10-2)
Drag dinner performers include Loo D’Flyest Priestly, Lexi DeVille, Ruby Monroe, Mia E Z’lay, Veronica Bow, Ivanna Riggie, and Devin Graberass
From 10 p.m.-2 a.m.: Dance Party with DJ Nicki Nell
$5 cover if you don’t attend the drag dinner
21+
To purchase drag dinner tickets, visit platformsportsbar.com/events
Wicked Gay Pre-Pride Party
One Bar & Grill, 1 Pearl St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Free
21+
Presented by Rebel Rise Entertainment & Bearhampton
Featuring the debut of DJ Arrow
Drag performance by Nicolette Antoinette
Sugar Biscuit: Queer Dance Party
The Basement, 21 Center St
“Underground Shakedown: Celebrating the Legacy of Club Culture”
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$5 cover
21+
Featuring DJ LeFox with Trotting Fox Entertainment
Diva’s Final Pride Weekend: Friday
Diva’s, 492 Pleasant St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$20 cover for ages 18-20
$10 cover for ages 21+
Featuring DJ Sluggy and DJ Ephraim Adamz
Drag show hosted by Ms. Lexi DeVille, with performances by Ruby Monroe, Britney K O’Day, Mia E Z’lay, Ivanna, and Loo D’Flyest Priestly
SATURDAY
The It Show
Iron Horse Music Hall, 20 Center St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$10 cover
21+
Featuring DJ LeFox and DJ Afropanther playing house, nu disco, tribe, indie, dirtypop, and live instrumentals from local teens
BLOKE
Bishop’s Lounge, 41 Strong Ave.
9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$5 cover
21+
Featuring DJ Brenden playing hip-hop, Top 40 and club mixes
Presented by Rebel Rise Entertainment
Diva’s Final Pride Weekend: Saturday
Diva’s, 492 Pleasant St.
5p.m.-8p.m.: $10 cover
8p.m.-close: $20 cover
21+
Featuring DJ Kinglady, DJ Johnnie-Oh,and DJ Ragoza
Drag shows at 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and midnight
Hosted by Serenity Lockhart, Felicia Forrestor, and Bianca DuBois, with performances by Britney K O’Day, Cuntessa Yolanda Velvet, Devin Graberass, Erin Rocabich, Galaxxy, Ivanna, Lexi DeVille, Loo D’Flyest Priestly, Mia E Z’lay, Ruby Monroe, Shameless DeVille, Tito Midnight, and Tytannia Lockhart
