Local officials, activists, and community members gathered at West Hartford Town Hall to energize the community to ‘Stand Our Ground’ ahead of the West Hartford Pride Festival.

By Maddie O’Connell. Photos by Ronni Newton

Federal, state, and local officials, along with LGBTQ+ community members and allies, gathered outside the steps of West Hartford’s Town Hall on Saturday, July 27, to kick off the annual West Hartford Pride Festival and celebrate the community dedicated to protecting every citizen.

Audience members assembled outside in the hot sun, some seeking shade under trees and others grouping in the grass. The audience looked eagerly towards the steps of Town Hall, where speakers who included U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. John Larson, Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, along with members of the town’s legislative delegation and local officials, stood ready to take the podium and speak out about the festival’s theme, “Stand Our Ground,” which was a call to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate the efforts Connecticut officials have taken to be at the forefront of the movement.

Johanna Schubert, co-chair of West Hartford Pride, took to the microphone to welcome the crowd and recognize the efforts of those involved in the Stonewall Uprising, which sparked the Gay Rights Movement and contributed to the festival’s events.

“We know that Pride, the first one, was a riot,” Schubert said. “We know that trans women of color threw that first brick, and we are here to honor that memory and to show up and say, ‘You will not erase us.”

Her message set the festival’s context and summarizes how the West Hartford community participates in both local and national movements. “There’s all kinds of ways we show up for our community, and every single one of them counts towards strengthening the safety net we’re building for our children and our loved ones,” said Schubert. 

Deputy Mayor Deb Polun, who spoke on behalf of the Town of West Hartford and Mayor Shari Cantor, who was unable to attend due to family commitments, recited a proclamation fron the town of West Hartford. The proclamation read in part that “West Hartford supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination.”

Polun also noted that “West Hartford’s theme this year is ‘Stand Our Ground,’ for all people, regardless of age, gender identity, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical challenges, have the right to be treated based on their intrinsic value as human beings.” The theme was selected as a dedication to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Manhattan.

The proclamation concluded with a call to the community, honoring that “We as a society are learning, understanding, and embracing diverse definitions of sexuality and gender.” Polun then shared a call to action to “eliminate prejudice and bias everywhere and celebrate our diversity.” 

Blumenthal shared with the crowd that today “is a commitment. It’s a sign of our resilience, and resistance, and it is a message to all in this community, you are seen, you are heard, you are our heroes.” Blumenthal said he “can’t think of a tougher time and a more important time to be here, to say that we are going to protect, enhance, empower, uplift all of the LGBTQ+ community that we are going to make sure Connecticut stays at the forefront of this movement.”  

Larson then took to the podium, recognizing West Hartford as “the most progressive community, [whose] values radiate throughout the entire first Congressional district.” Larson then took a moment to honor the passing of Rabbi Philip Lazowski and U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts), both key figures in the fight for equality.

“Our delegation will continue to fight for the equality that everyone deserves under the Constitution of the United States,” Larson said.

In transition, Johanna Schubert readdressed the idea of a “safety net,” which she shared “extends all the way to Washington DC,” yet also involves “champions here in our state, champions who will fight for us in every corner of Connecticut, including West Hartford.”

Following those remarks, the governor addressed the audience.

“It’s worth remembering what the 250th was all about,” said in regard to the 250th anniversary of the United States, marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As Lamont recited the famous lines from the declaration: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he shared with the audience the meaning behind those lines.

“Life, life means the right to live your life the way you want to, love who you want to, identify as you want to, and just let me be. Liberty is the same thing … and the pursuit of happiness, that’s what Pride month is all about,” he said. Lamont concluded with a final remark that in Connecticut, “We’re gonna protect you,” which was a call to anyone living where their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness is not being upheld.

Bysiewicz noted that “West Hartford is a model for what a welcoming, inclusive community should be” and said she hopes that “every community across Connecticut will follow their lead because West Hartford [has] it right.”

Bysiewicz’s message stands out with her acknowledgement of the recent “ruling against gender affirming care in the State of Tennessee” and “anti LGBTQ+ legislation.” Bysiewicz drew attention to a recently announced safe harbor fund, “where those funds will be used to help members of the LGBTQ+ community who have been denied care.”

State Rep Kate Farrar, who represents the 20th District, asked the crowd, “Are we united in love?” to which cheers of yes followed. “Are we united for freedom?” Again, followed by cheers of agreement. “Are we united for justice,” to which applause and celebration followed.

“We are standing strong, shoulder by shoulder, meaning that just this year, we expanded fertility coverage so that everyone can access the care they need to start a family,” Farrar said. She also noted expansions to protections for gender affirming care and a recent letter that many officials signed onto, “calling out the federal government for trying to establish a rule that would discriminate against LGBTQIA people with their access to housing.”

Farrar added, “As a proud ally, I stand with you.”

State Sen. Derek Slap, who represents the 5th District, noted that the budget to which Farrar addressed, “speaks to our values. In Connecticut, we value love, we value freedom, we value dignity for every single person.” Slap also called upon a growing audience, stating, “We need to fight, we need to organize, and the last thing, it’s very important, we need to vote.”

Following the delegations and lawmakers, Genevieve Ard, a transgender veteran, took to the podium to share her military experience. Ard traced the contributions of LGBTQ+ people throughout American history from the Revolutionary War to the present day, which is an impactful message in light of the celebration of America 250. With reference to personal experience, Ard shared the need for military protections and workplace rights for transgender and intersex military members, summarized by the phrase “There’s got to be a better day. There’s got to be a better way. … It’s the 250th anniversary of the nation. I say it’s the 250th anniversary of pride,” shared Ard, because “We’ve been here from the first day of the United States.”

Fox White, a member of the Q+ Youth Advisory Board, then shared their experience as a queer teenager, which is “one of the scariest things you can experience” but also “amazing” being “part of such a diverse, unique community,” shared Fox. “My humanity is just as real as everyone else’s,” they said. 

“I am proud to be queer. I am proud to be trans. I am proud to be disabled, and I am proud of all my fellow transients out there. Stay safe, stay proud, and always be yourself, no matter what anyone else tells you,” concluded Fox.

Barry Walters, Executive Director and Founder of West Hartford Pride, co-chair of the Festival, and Town Council member, brought an energetic conclusion to the kick-off event.

“The power of voting is so incredibly important. It’s what we do afterwards, that is just as, if not more, and that is … holding our elected leaders accountable,” said Walters. He encouraged the audience to “reach out, “ “hold people accountable,” and to “step up for yourself,” he said.

“You have power, you have the ability to make change, you have the ability to move us forward,” remarked Walters. 

After hearing personal experiences, historical inspiration, and a call to fight for equality and against discrimination, the audience was left with a final reminder to #BeLoudBeProud. Hartford’s Proud Drill Drum and Dance Team performed at the base of the steps to guide the audience towards the annual Pride Festival in the Town Hall Parking lot.

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