Small Town Pride-CT

😔

Trans teen stabbed in Miami airport, police investigating as potential hate crime A woman was stabbed inside a terminal at Miami International Airport late Saturday, sending her to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

We have learned that some of our signs were taken from a local church and found in a pond. While this is quite disappointing, it is not surprising. As I reflect on this June, I remember a few unkind gestures, several people hiding behind FB to say mean things, and so many acts of kindness. It’s the kind statements, gestures, bravery, and support that keep us going. It’s like when you see a rainbow: everything else just stops and you stand in awe of its beauty.

(Also, don’t dump things in ponds, it’s lame)

Happy Nonbinary Awareness Week!

For all!

It's the last weekend for Pride cookies and cupcakes! 🏳️‍🌈 A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these two items will be donated to an LGBTQ+ charity. Available until Sunday so come on in and support!

We have a teeny tiny flowery rain jacket for a child with the initials LN and an adult in navy blue. They were left at the American legion last Friday during our Pride event. Message me if they belong to you.

N.Y. officials propose ‘Stonewall Day’ ahead of Stonewall Inn Rebellion’s 55th anniversary.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D – NY), alongside Congressman Ritchie Torres (D – NY) and Congressman Dan Goldman (D – NY), presented the legislation ahead of the Stonewall Rebellion’s 55th anniversary, according to a written statement.

Additionally, the statement said that the rebellion’s anniversary inspired the very first Pride marches as people across the country gathered in support on June 28, 1970.

This year’s anniversary of the uprising coincides with the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center’s opening, the statement said.

“As the only openly gay member of Congress from the great state of New York and a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, the immense significance of the Stonewall Uprising is never lost on me. I am able to live as an openly gay man in 2024 directly because of the bravery of those individuals at Stonewall who put their feet down and said enough is enough. We have made immense progress as a nation in accepting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ rights in the 55 years since Stonewall, but there is still so much more to be done,” Torres said.

(Text: https://www.silive.com/news/2024/06/ny-officials-propose-stonewall-day-ahead-of-stonewall-inn-rebellions-55th-anniversary.html)

Joe Biden has moved to correct a “great injustice” by pardoning thousands of US veterans convicted over six decades under a military law that banned gay s*x. The presidential proclamation, which comes during Pride month and an election year, allows LGBTQ+ service members convicted of crimes based solely on their s*xual orientation to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits.

“Today, I am righting an historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves,” Biden said in a statement. Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQ+ service members were forced out of the military because of their s*xual orientation or gender identity. Some of these patriotic Americans were subject to court-martial, and have carried the burden of this great injustice for decades.”

The president said the step was about “dignity” and “decency”, and ensuring the military’s culture reflects that of America.

It grants clemency to service members convicted under Uniform Code of Military Justice article 125 – which criminalised so**my, including between consenting adults – between 1951 and 2013, when it was rewritten by Congress.

That includes victims of the 1950s “lavender scare” (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc140NKIBeW/?hl=en and https://www.instagram.com/p/CsvTVLvoZ7N/?hl=en), a witch-hunt in which many LGBTQ+ people employed by the federal government were viewed as security risks amid fears their s*xual orientation made them vulnerable to blackmail. Thousands were investigated and fired or denied employment.

(Text: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/26/biden-pardons-veterans-military-law-gay-s*x)

About time!!!!

Today, we stand united in support and celebration of President Biden's historic decision to pardon many former service members who were unjustly convicted due to their s*xual orientation or gender identity.

Read more on our Joint Statement from Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO , AFL-CIO and Pride at Work on President Biden's Pardon of LGBTQIA+ Service Members here: https://pride-at.work/VeteransPardon

Small Town Pride updates on the CoDE site!

https://code-diversity.org/2024/06/02/celebrate-pride/?

Celebrate Pride – CoDE Post last modified:June 25, 2024 Post comments:0 Comments Celebrate Pride Despite the heat and humidity, then thunder, lightening and drenching rain, our Celebrate Pride event led by Small Town Pride – CT was wonderful! We gathered as a community in the center of Hebron on Friday June 21st.A panel...

The friends we have made along the way through love and support of one another. Thank you to Father Ron, Ben, and the congregation of St. Peter’s Episcopal church for your beautiful support and showing of love. The world can be good.

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” - John 4:20

The answer is simple. ❤️ Love. ❤️ Love is a verb.

Gee Virginia Lindsey M PasqualeSt. Peter's Episcopal ChurchGilead Congregational ChurchUnited Brethren of HebronCoalition on Diversity & Equity - Code

Happy Pride! 3rd Annual East Hampton CT Pride Stroll

🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ We are so grateful. It poured rain, it was humid, our balloons were popping like fireworks…… and it was perfect.

We are so grateful to our speakers for being so brave and raw. You had a captive audience and made an impact that will help our community. Thank you Ron, Sarah, Brenna, Eliot, Alex, Xander, and Lindsey for sharing your stories. Thank you Lindsey and Donna for your thoughtful planning for such a beautiful panel. If I had to pick a favorite moment, it was when the youth in our town stood up, after listening to your whole panel attentively, and thanked you. That is why we do this. We hope to have a community that can support our youth and your contribution to that child’s life is immeasurable.

We are so grateful to our vendors. The room was filled with laughter, conversation, and kindness (not to mention the cool products and caring resources). You have made a meaningful impact. Thank you.

We are so grateful to Nicole who kicked us off with her musical talents and got our vibe going.

We are so grateful to our family at Coalition on Diversity & Equity - Code for supporting our every move and connecting with the importance of this even. Thank you Lindsey, Cathy, Donna, Ronda, and Ruth for your help answering support!

We are so grateful to Michelle and her team at The Flour Girl and Lauri at the American Legion Post 95 Hebron Connecticut for not only allowing us to host our events with you but also adding a layer of welcoming and support that made our hearts feel warm.

We are so grateful for our guests, political representatives, and new friends for joining us, being kind and respectful, smiling in your fun, and eager to learn and support. We are so grateful to hear your stories and have your presence and wisdom.

I am so grateful for my Grace. The little spark that started our journey. I am so grateful to have a family that loves and supports you and supports your shining moments. (thanks to Patrick and Mabel for all of the work you put into this and the humor you added).

🌈 We are grateful 🌈

(Now on to support our friends at 3rd Annual East Hampton CT Pride Stroll!)

This Sunday!!! Let’s support our religious community and this years guest speaker at our event tonight.

Big things happening in Hebron tonight!!

Tonight!!!!! Come see what we can bring to the community! We are so happy to share a kind and supportive event packed with great education and fun!! And don’t forget to check out the The Town Center Project, Inc.’s Mile of Music! We will have our music there too! Find us at American Legion Post 95, The Flour Girl dooryard.

Come see our vendors and supports at the American Legion! 517!

Gilead Congregational Church
Style, Craft, and Soul Karen Wanat
Wax & Wane Soy Wax Melts
Paint Auras
United Brethren of Hebron
Follow The Queen Yard Cards
Over AndOver CT
The Mad Crafterz
Elainenthesun
Rural Heritage Arts School
QPlus

We hear it’s Make Music Day in June 21! The Town Center Project, Inc. So we have a volunteer musician! Thank you Nicole! We will also offer some open mic and a guitar when she needs a break ♥️ 🌈

“I suppose being a gender nonconforming person on screen feels like a real privilege,” D’Arcy said. “Because when I was younger, I kind of thought that if I were able to act as my job, it would probably be quite separate from my identity, and maybe they would remain separate. I didn’t know it would be possible for those to sort of overlap and be in conversation with each other.”

Emma D’Arcy Says Being a Nonbinary Person on Screen “Feels Like a Real Privilege” In an interview with ‘Gay Times,’ the ‘House of the Dragon’ star spoke to the power of gender nonconforming representation.

Calling all volunteers! We need help with:

- Set up 3:30-5
- tattoos & coloring pages 5-7
- welcome tables 5-7
- vendor support 5-8
- any musicians out there? (it is make music day after all)
- clean up/ take down 7-9

Merry Christmas to all that celebrate!

Lead with Love.

It is more than confronting derogatory jokes or voting for people who are LGBTQIA supportive (or against those who are working against them).

It is making sure the LGBTQIA+ person in your life is accepted and affirmed. It is stepping in when the q***r person is not around and making sure people in your home use their preferred name and pronouns, regardless of whether they are supportive people or not.

It is making sure the q***r person is always invited. Having "separate but equal" events with unsupportive relatives is not recommended. It makes it so they never have to make choices or confront consequences for their phobia, and gives the appearance you can't be bothered to take on a tiny piece of your q***r one's burden.

Stopping family events all together is not a loophole, it comes across a bit cowardly and can appear to the q***r person as if they are not truly loved and affirmed, rather merely tolerated and not worth the effort.

Be the individual the q***r person in your life needs you to be this holiday season. Even when it seems hard. Lead With Love.

"If you want to put Christ back in Christmas, start by having a seat at the table for your q***r child." - Chris Kratzer

Interested to hear your thoughts. Is this a step big enough? Are you in support of one step at a time? I’ll reserve mine for now.

Pope Francis approves Catholic blessings for same-s*x couples, but not for marriage In a major development, the Vatican said priests may bless same-s*x couples in informal settings, such as a meeting or visit to a shrine, so long as the blessing does not appear to endorse a marriage.

“We want everyone to know that they are welcome in our church; even the person who chooses to steal our signs and destroy property.”