Thousands of people marched, danced and chanted their way through downtown Boston today at the annual Pride parade to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. The parade winded its way from Copley Square, through the South End and ended on Boston Common.
This year’s theme was “Pride as Protest: Since 1776.” As the country gears up for its 250th birthday this summer, organizers said this year’s parade intended to frame LGBTQ+ history as part of America’s long history of protest.
“Our theme this year is … a nod to the notion that there have always been queer people, we have always been a part of the country’s history, and a part of more importantly, a part of making the country a better place,” Gary Daffin, a member of Boston Pride for the People’s organizing committee and executive director of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition, told GBH News.
Although usually held on the second Saturday in June, this year’s parade was moved earlier because of the World Cup at Gillette Stadium and the expected crowds.
Somerville resident Horatio Marchione, who was wearing pink mesh gloves and a blue scrunchie to represent the transgender pride flag, said that the parade is “definitely political” this year.
“To me, just like my existence feels like a protest right now with our government and what they’re trying to do nationwide,” Marchione, who is transgender, said. “Just the fact that I can wear the trans colors outside is great, that I can do that in Boston, but just my existence right now feels threatened. So that’s why I’m here.”
Many said that Pride has always been a kind of protest. Karen Wheelock came from Malden and waited at the beginning of the parade to try to see Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey.
“I wanted to see … all the political people in Massachusetts that are helping us keep our rights, which was a long journey to get here,” Wheelock, who is 79, said. “I admire all of them for making sure that I still have all my rights, which I didn’t for most of my life.”
Last year’s Pride parade became an actual protest, as the local version of the national No Kings movement converged with the Boston parade, the first Pride since President Donald Trump had taken office for the second time.
This year’s parade came at a time when advocates say LGBTQ people have been targeted through rollbacks to DEI initiatives, as well as federal cuts to LGBTQ programs, including a suicide prevention line for LGBTQ+ youth and threats to transgender minors.
Earlier this year, Boston University’s president apologized that Pride flags on campus had been taken down. There are signs that public sentiment is shifting — support for same sex marriage has declined since its peak in 2022, according to a recent Gallup poll.
“We have a very diverse community,” Daffin said. “We all agree that the way that this administration … has attacked particularly transgender people, but LGBTQ people overall, is something that we do not intend to just take lying down.”
Despite the threats, parade attendees said they were glad to have the chance to celebrate their community. Diosangel Guerrero, who is 19, came to Pride for the first time from Attleboro.
“I’m so excited,” he said. “We’re gonna have fun today.”
Many parade attendees were there to show support for LGBTQ+ family and friends.
Nancy Margerum, who came from Mansfield and has a son who is gay, was wearing a t-shirt that said “free mom hugs.”
“I’m very happy to be here and give some love to people who really deserve it,” she said.
GBH News’ Hannah Reale contributed to this report.
