Be Yourself, Change the World

With the Massachusetts state Democratic convention occurring at the same time as the Pride Parade, the number of marching politicians was down. It was the final year for Governor Deval Patrick, who received an Open Door Award by the Interfaith Coalition. “I hope by now…people know they have a home here in Massachusetts and that we’re a welcoming place.”

Turnout was robust as rain held off amidst occasional glints of sun. The Boston Globe noted how diverse the crowd was and Pride president Sylvain Bruni agreed, “There are more families, more babies, more couples. It’s more diverse than it’s ever been.”

After 45 years of history, and after all of the debates about the nature and purpose of Pride, maybe the best reason we still need the colorful spectacle every June was stated by Linda DeMarco, who has served on Pride for 17 years: “It is always someone’s first Pride. Pride is for someone to march down the street and not be alone.”

“Boston Pride is about everyone being themselves, freely and openly, in a safe environment,” said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. “We accept everyone for who they are and believe each of us can change the world by bringing visibility and awareness to the LGBT community.”  “Boston Pride is about everyone being themselves, freely and openly, in a safe environment,” said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. “We accept everyone for who they are and believe each of us can change the world by bringing visibility and awareness to the LGBT community.”

The 2014 annual Boston Pride parade drew a record 25,000 people and 200 groups to march from Copley Square to City Hall Plaza, led by Gov. Deval Patrick, this year’s Grand Marshal, and Mayor Marty Walsh.

A number of other politicians, including Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Joe Kennedy, Michelle Wu, and Matt O’Malley showed up to march alongside supporters, missing the critical Democratic state convention in Worcester. The parade also featured advocacy groups like GLAD, LGBT groups from area high schools and universities, churches, and even corporations like EMT and Google.

Parade Marshals

Grand Marshal: Governor Deval L. Patrick^[2]
Grand Marshal: The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence^[2]
Honorary: John Mitzel^[2]

Festival/Concert Entertainers

The parade ended with a festival at City Hall Plaza, where thousands gathered to enjoy entertainment by Jeanie Tracy, JD Samson, Alex Newell from Glee, headliner A Great Big World, and others. Mary Lambert, famous for singing the hook in Macklemore’s “Same Love,” cancelled her performance due to the loss of her voice, but Hal Sparks from “Queer As Folk” stepped in last-minute to make a guest appearance in her place.^[3]

Block Party DJs

Back Bay Block Party – DJ Phil B and DJ Shpank
JP Block Party – Dogs & Drag Show, DJ Jodi, Music by Zili Misik, Kristen Ford and Chemical 13