Community members gathered at a West Hartford Pride Rally before Saturday’s Pride Festival to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stand up against hate. 

By Roz Green. Photos by Ronni Newton

On Saturday, June 21, prior to the annual West Hartford Pride Festival, people gathered around the West Hartford Town Hall to listen to the inspirational words of elected officials and community activists. 

“The town of West Hartford supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination,” stated Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd. He noted that this year’s theme of West Hartford Pride, “Stand Our Ground,” emphasizes that everyone, no matter age, gender identity, race, color, religion, and sexual orientation, should all have the right to be treated as human beings. 

Throughout his speech Wenograd urged the community to contribute in eliminating prejudice and bias and celebrate the beauty of diversity. He reminded the community that we are all in this together, and we all must help to fight against hate and discrimination, not only in the state of Connecticut, but around the world. 

Wenograd then turned the microphone over to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. 

“We’re going to push back, fight back because LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. LGBTQ rights are American rights, they are constitutional rights,” said Blumenthal as he began his speech. 

“We saw this week an absolute betrayal of those rights in the Supreme Court upholding a Tennessee law that restricts gender affirming care for kids. I can’t imagine a more cruel decision,” stated Blumenthal, who also spoke about the ruling on Friday during a press conference in West Hartford. He urged the crowd to have determination and bring the energy to make sure they as a community do not surrender. He told the crowd that they give him hope by being present at the rally. 

Blumenthal also mentioned the end of the suicide prevention call line that United States government has eliminated, the call line that LGBTQ+ individuals use when they are feeling alone and isolated. “You are not alone,” Blumenthal said “We are going to fight for you, and we’re going to win.” 

Later in his speech Blumenthal announced the reintroduction of the Equality Act. “The Equality Act makes sure that the law treats people fairly with dignity and respect no matter who you are, who you love, where you live, if you are applying for a mortgage or a credit card, if you’re going to work or you’re attending school, no matter what you’re doing, you are entitled to equity under the law.” Loud and proud cheers were heard all across the lawn. Blumenthal’s passion and care that he shared throughout his speech spoke volumes for the town of West Hartford and the state of Connecticut. 

After Blumenthal’s inspirational speech, State Treasurer Erick Russell went up to speak. 

Continuing on Blumenthal’s point about the suicide hotline, Russell gave the audience a perspective on how important that hotline is to the LGBTQ+ community. “In the days following the election, the Trevor Project saw a 700% increase to their crisis hotline, particularly from young people. The national suicide prevention hotline, the LGBTQ line, was averaging 2,400 calls a day in the month of February, and this is the hotline that is being gutted on the federal level right now.” 

To that point, Russell mentioned how Pride started as a riot, and although the festival is a day of celebration, he reminded everyone that one should not forget the transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, that have been beaten and brutalized, the people who had not been accepted for who they are. 

After concluding his speech by thanking community members for coming out and being at the Town Hall to celebrate, state Sen. Derek Slap was introduced. 

“West Hartford Pride is not just a festival, it’s a nonprofit, it’s a support organization, it is a network of love, and we have to invest in it,” said Slap as he began his speech. He mentioned his goal to expand rights and protections for all those in the LGBTQ+ community. His support and love was radiant. 

Rhonda and Jim Heisler, residents of nearby Bloomfield, had asked to participate in the West Hartford Pride rally to speak about their transgender grandchild. 

“We’re here today as the proud grandparents of a happy, well-adjusted, self-confident 10-year-old transgender girl named Emily,” stated Rhonda Heisler. The grandparents said that Emily was assigned male at birth, but early on in her life, it was evident that she was gender expansive in her preferences and interests. 

The grandparents stated that although they were accepting of their grandchild, they were still initially filled with questions and concerns. However, their love was strong, and they supported Emily with open arms. 

“There was no place for shame,” stated Jim Heisler, “That when you start from a foundation of love and validation, we believe you when you tell us who you are.” It was important to them to love their grandchild no matter what, no matter how they expressed themselves, how they dressed, or how they acted. “Being the grandparents of a transgender child has been the privilege of our lives,” said Rhonda Heisler as they ended their speech. 

One of the final speakers during Saturday’s rally was Styx Hatch, a 19-year-old queer and transgender individual. Their speech was powerful and impactful, touching the hearts of all who attended the rally. 

“I am proof that transitioning saves lives,” stated Hatch. They spoke about how gender affirming hormones and surgery allowed for them to be who they are, and allowed for them to stand before the crowd at that very moment. 

“If being trans makes me a freak, I am proud to be a freak,” stated Hatch as they finished speaking about the viewpoints that people have on transgender individuals, who are often viewed as monsters or freaks. “No one is free until we are all free.” They finished their speech urging all to take action and to not remain silent. 

After all the speeches, Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum, and Dance team performed a fun and upbeat dance to finish off the rally, and then led the crowd around Town Hall to the festival that was just beginning in the parking lot. 

Other speakers included West Hartford Pride Co-Chairs Barry Walters and Johanna Schubert, Melissa Combs, state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, and Dawn Ennis. From elected officials to community activists, the rally reminded all to stand up and fight back, that there is power in unity. 

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