Springfield Pride Parade Art Director Chris Seabrooks unveiled the new design and banner for the second annual Pride Parade.
MassMutual Pride BRG Chair, Colin Burns spoke of MassMutual’s support, and MGM Springfield President and COO Chris Kelley delivered remarks sharing how excited MGM Springfield is to support and participate in the parade.
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell, License Director Attorney Alesia Days, Veterans Services Deputy Director Joe DeCaro, White Lion Founder Ray Berry, Michelle Grout and Samantha Savoie from the Springfield BID were also in attendance.
This announcement follows the city of Springfield’s Public Health Month kickoff which was held on Monday, April 3rd, as part of the month-long recognition of promoting and advocating for the public and mental health of our community. The Springfield Pride Parade will continue to help to promote the public health, safety and care for Springfield’s LGBTQ+ community.
Mayor Sarno also spoke about how the city of Springfield supports the Springfield Pride Parade’s Safe Space Initiative which aims to create safe locations, free from any hate and/or discrimination and welcoming of all people, regardless of their race, gender, identity or preference. Both City Hall and the Department of Health and Human Services have been designated as Safe Spaces.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I are looking forward to marching together with Taurean Bethea, who I commend and thank for his vision and leadership efforts, and our Springfield LGBTQ+ community to support our second annual Springfield Pride Parade. We had a wonderful time marching and celebrating with the thousands of participants last year, and this year will be no different. A good person is a good person, no matter what creed, color, background, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As a longtime member of Mayors Against LGBTQ Discrimination, I am proud to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community to remind all that each of us deserves the same level of equality and respect. This month in particular, as we recognize Public Health Month, we thank and acknowledge those who have fought for equality for our LGBTQ+ community and recognize that respecting the rights of all makes for a better city and community.”
For more information, please visit the Springfield Pride Parade website at: www.springfieldprideparade.org
