“As a member the LGBTQIA + community I have obviously experienced homophobia, but I have never experienced this level of right wing shenanigans. “When you boil an actor down to a part they’ve played, or a singer to one song that they’ve done, you take away from the fact that they can create art that’s successful for all kinds of ages and communities,” Diamond wrote in a statement to GBH News. House of Representatives, posted Saturday, “The views of one hateful Massachusetts Republican Party candidate should not deny a group of #Newburyport LGBTQ teens the opportunity to enjoy themselves.”īut Diamond rejected the idea that having once performed any adult content disqualified her from DJing a dance for high schoolers. Seth Moulton, who represents Newburyport in the U.S. More evidence of their absolute insanity!” Rep. Massachusetts GOP chair Jim Lyons posted about the event on Friday, writing, “The radical left on display in Newburyport…. The planned dance brought out comments from top officials in the state. State Senate candidate MacRae posted about the “Over the Rainbow” event on her personal Facebook page Friday, writing, “It’s not about the dance, it’s about the entertainer!! #protectourchildren.” In the comments, she wrote, “We did not want the event cancelled. Posts shared in a parents’ Facebook group and the Massachusetts-focused conservative site Turtleboy Daily News criticized Diamond and one of her past performances, which contained adult material, saying it was inappropriate for the performer to DJ for minors. Headlines and videos began circulating among conservative sites and groups about Miz Diamond Wigfall, the drag performer hired to DJ the dance, late last week.
Sully McLellan, a junior at Triton Regional High School
And a local group is putting together a Welcoming Wall, where people can post messages of support for youth as they walk into the dance.īut among the support from the local community, there was also frustration with the misinformation and apparent bigotry motivating the opposition to the event, particularly when significant criticism came from outside their city.
PICTURES OF THE GAY PRIDE FLAG FREE
The event will be free to attend because of an influx of donated funds that rolled in after Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon clarified that the dance was not being supported by residents' tax dollars. Organizers say three churches and two other venues stepped forward to offer up their spaces. The uppermost point of the district she’s looking to represent is some 65 miles south of Newburyport.Īn outpouring of support for LGBTQ+ youth has followed the news. Andrea Egmont, Newburyport’s director of youth services, said the lodge pulled out after being contacted by Kari MacRae, a state Senate candidate seeking to represent Plymouth and Barnstable. But on Friday, the city’s chief of staff informed the City Council that the venue had decided to no longer host the event. The “Over the Rainbow” dance was scheduled to be held at Saint John’s Lodge/Masonic Hall, with organizers from Newburyport’s Department of Youth Services in affiliation with the North Shore Alliance for GLBTQ+ Youth. Now, the organizers have a bounty of spaces to choose from after media drew attention to the stranded event. This event serves as a chance for the LGBTQ community and their allies to be visible, share space and Pride.A small virtual firestorm and a call from an out-of-district state Senate candidate led a Newburyport venue to pull out of hosting a May 13 dance for local LGBTQ+ youth. “This past year has been tough, with increased isolation from COVID and a divisive national culture.
“This year’s Lewis County Pride Picnic is an opportunity to show what a warm and inclusive community we have in the heart of Northern NY.” ACR Health Q Center Program Supervisor Hilary Avallone said in a press release. This rebellion was considered to be the “birth of the modern LGBT movement.”Īccording to the Pride Planning Committee, this event in Lowville is focused on celebrating Pride and Community in Lewis County. This local event will join the many Pride events that are held in the month of June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that occurred in New York City on June 28, 1969. at the Lewis County Fairgrounds in Lowville on Sunday, June 5. This is the third year for this event and it will be held from 1 p.m. Jefferson Community College raises Pride Flag on National Coming Out Day