Trans-forming Our Community
At the annual Pride Flag Raising at City Hall, Pride vice president Keri Aulita explained the need for the year’s theme: “It’s about time we stand up and stand with our trans families, our transgender allies and friends and colleagues and co-workers and neighbors.”
Organizers told The Boston Globe 127 groups had registered and there were 46 floats and trucks. They expected at least 10,000 marchers with a crowd of half a million lining the route.
Joanne Herman, board member at GLAD and the Point Foundation, which supports and mentors young LGBT people, amplified the need for increased community support for trans rights: “In each of the states where marriage happened in New England, there’s a trans bill languishing…”
Prior to the Parade, the inaugural King and Queen of Pride Pageant was held at Estate nightclub. Contestants competed in talent, eveningwear, and swimwear (for the Kings). Winners rode on the Boston Pride Parade Float. The third annual OPTIONZ Diversity Pride Party was held at Umbria in downtown Boston. Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+), Madfemme Pride, and Boston Pride all sponsored the event.[1]
Iconic Lesbian Motorcyclist, Woody Woodward, died June 13th 2009 of ovarian cancer on the morning of her beloved Boston LGBT Pride Parade[2]
Keri Aulita has been hired as the organization’s first employee in its 40 year history and will assume the position of Deputy Director on January 4, 2010.
Rocky Graziano and Raquel Blake First King and Queen of Boston Pride 2009 Pageant
2009 Pride Idol winner Karen Grenier!
Parade Marshals
Grand Marshal: Pathways to Wellness, the South End-based non-profit acupuncture and holistic medicine center that provides extensive services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Honorary Marshal: Barbara Jordan, the Texas Congresswoman who was the first African-American woman from the South to serve in Congress. While the late Congresswoman never publicly acknowledged her sexuality, her death obituaries acknowledged her long-time partner, Nancy Earl.
Celebrity Marshal: Melissa Etheridge, the world-renown singer and out lesbian is not confirmed to attend the Pride festivities, and yet, she’s managed to put Pride in the papers months ahead of June events. Thanks Melissa!
Festival/Concert Entertainers
Taylor Dayne who will be performing on stage as our headliner, along with three main acts: singer Brian Kent, and comedians Marga Gomez and Ian Harvie.
Block Party DJs
Back Bay Block Party – DJ Joe Gauthreaux with openers DJ Ranny & DJ Shpank
JP Block Party – DJ Kristin Korpos and DJ Jodi
LGBTQ Historical Highlights
Congress passes the Matthew Shephard and James Byrd law, adding federal law protections against hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity bias[4]
Join the Impact Massachusetts holds a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party at Long Wharf, to protest unequal treatment of same-sex marriages in federal law[4]
Massachusetts activists join the National Equality March in Washington[4]
Event Details
Date: Pride Week June 5-14, 2009
Theme: Trans-forming Our Community
Organized by: New Boston Pride Committee
Board Members: Linda DeMarco, President; Keri Aulita, Vice President; Pierce Durkin, Clerk; Kristie Helms, Member; Wilfred Labiosa, Member; Sylvain Bruni, Member, Malcolm Carey, Member.
Committee Chairs: Sean Duggan, Cookie Belcamino, Cale Moore, Catherine Sauer, Elizabeth Stewart.
Parade Route
START – South End, Down Tremont St., Left on Berkeley St., Right on Boylston St., Left on Charles St., Right on Beacon St., Left on Tremont St., to Cambridge St. END – City Hall Plaza