PRIDE Month

Ayden Carlson admitted to being pretty excited Thursday, minutes before speeches, proclamations, brief history lessons and a flag-raising ceremony to kick off PRIDE Month.

Ayden, a soon-to-be senior at Batavia High School, is the game coordinator and a youth leader for the LGBTQ outreach agency GLOW OUT and the youth league ACT OUT, which is part of new summer initiatives funded by the state Office of Mental Health, led by Executive Director Sara Vacin.

“It’s the first year that this has happened. I’m also staying on for next year, so I will be doing the same thing next June. I’m very, very excited because I’ve met a lot of wonderful people through this program. And it’s nice to have a place where you feel like you belong, especially being in a marginalized community,” Ayden said. “It’s great to meet other people who are like you, so you don’t feel as alone. This means to me celebrating pride and how you don’t need to be scared of who you are. It’s just your identity. And no matter what month or what day, you deserve to feel it is okay."

Has that not always been the case?
“No, that definitely has not been the case. I have very much grown into my identity. There was a long time where I had a lot of internalized homophobia, where I was very scared of being my true self,” the 16-year-old said. “And thankfully, through this program, and Sara has been a huge motivator and a huge helper to me, I’ve been able to grow through a lot of those feelings.”

Ayden stood alongside Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein as she read a proclamation about PRIDE Month and its now rightful place on the county books. It was one of two proclamations on the line-up for the day, also joined by one sent from state Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Stein began that “Whereas our nation was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people. But the fulfillment of this promise has been long coming for many Americans, and whereas some of the most inspiring moments in our history have arisen from the various civil rights movements that have brought one group after another from the margins into the mainstream of American society.”

“And whereas everyone should be able to live without fear of prejudice, discrimination, violence, hatred based on race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, and whereas LBGTQ Pride celebrations have taken place around the country every June to commemorate the beginning of the Stonewall riots, and whereas the month of June is celebrated as LBGTQ Pride Month nationally, and whereas the county of Genesee has a diverse LBGTQ community that includes people of all ethnicities, religions and professions,” Stein said. “And now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the Genesee County Legislature proclaims recognition of the month of June 2023 as Pride Month and urges all residents to respect and honor our diverse community and celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance, and be further in witness whereof we have here to set our hand and affixed the seal of the Genesee County Legislature this day, the first of June 2023.”

While everyone in the gathering of some 25 to 30 adults and children remained quiet during the reading, Ayden’s face spoke in a special way, with a sincere smile that captured the moment.

Ayden shared an opening message to honor veterans. Sadly, throughout much of history, “LGBTQ+ veterans had to hide their identities while serving in the military,” Ayden said.

“For many, this greatly complicated and added to the stresses of war. So, we wanted to start by saying thank you, and that we hope you know how grateful we are for your extraordinary service. If you would please join me in saying the pledge of allegiance, and while doing so, take a moment to give gratitude to these soldiers and their hidden loved ones who also sacrificed a lot.”

Thursday marked the beginning of June and what promises to be a busy month for Pride activities, local organizers and members of GLOW OUT said during a gathering and flag-raising ceremony at the War Memorial at Jerome Center in Batavia.

Beyond being an event for participants to celebrate, it was also meant to educate, with snippets of history about Pride itself. Abby introduced the topic, admitting that “when I think about PRIDE Month, I imagine rainbows, fun, parades and parties.” However, Pride actually started as a riot outside of a bar called the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969,” Abby Merkley of Holley High School said. “Because homosexual acts were against the law at that time, gay, lesbian, and transgender patrons had few safe spaces even in New York City, but gay bars were considered by many beer patrons to be sanctuaries.”

That didn’t mean that gay bars were safe, she said, and if police suspected a bar was serving mainly queer patrons, they could raid it. That is what happened at the Stone Wall Inn in 1969. Many patrons and workers were arrested and assaulted by police. According to accounts of the event, a lesbian woman shouted out as she was being shoved into a police van, beckoning the crowd surrounding the bar to act. And that’s exactly what they did, Abby said.

Patrons began to fight back, and surprised police ended up barricaded in the bar until those angry protestors broke in and lit the place on fire.

Known as the Stonewall Uprising, riots continued for days. The first official gay pride parade began a year later on June 28, and just like in 1969, “we are still fighting to protect, support, and recognize our transgender brothers and sisters,” Abby said, and “there’s plenty of work to do in that area.”

Unlike 1969, “we have many more rights, and the future is looking way brighter for youth like me,” she said. “We thank our elders for all they fought for so that we could live more authentic lives today. And we thank our state and local legislators for creating laws and communities where we can live authentic, full lives.”

Lilly Fiscus of Caledonia High School explained the meaning of the rainbow flag. The rainbow symbol was created by Gilbert Baker, an American artist-designer and openly gay military veteran who was asked in 1977 to draft a unifying symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. Inspired by the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” he took that symbol to “help us dream of a time when LGBTQ are accepted and to show the diversity and vibrancy of this group,” Lilly said.

As for what the current GLOW OUT and ACT OUT groups do, they have social and educational events, back-to-school barbecues, basket raffles, pop-up pride events, exhibits about gender and garments, providing materials to clarify terms such as sexual orientation versus gender, working on anti-bullying efforts, networking with other schools, establishing drop-in centers and inviting youth ages 12 to 21 to join them.

Batavia High School sophomore Judith Newton is an ACT OUT education leader, and added that “we’ve been doing a lot of crafts lately, getting ready or Pride, which is cool because we have time to hang out with people like Sara, (volunteer Katelyn Zufall and President John Couri), and talk about what’s going on in our lives.”

“We even have debates on some of the issues happening in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s fun, and we’re so grateful we have it,” Judith said.

The group then gathered to hoist the Pride flag with the U.S. flag up the pole. Vacin reminded folks about some of the upcoming events, including the Pride Parade and festival that begin at 4 p.m. June 9 in Downtown Batavia. For more information, go to GLOW OUT. 

As part of PRIDE month and GLOW OUT, the Richmond Memorial Library hosted a drag queen story hour in the children's section with drag queen Chaka Khanteven.

It was a capacity audience for the event with 35 children attending and participating in a craft event after the reading.

Photos by Howard Owens.

At least 100 people participate in the GLOW OUT! parade on Washington Avenue in Batavia. 

Spectators watch the GLOW OUT! parade Saturday on Bank Street in Batavia. The parade was followed by a festival in the parking lot at Alva and Bank streets.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

Wednesday was a busy day as a prelude to Pride Month, and it was filled with several youth-focused events at sites throughout Batavia.

The day began with an opening ceremony of a Pride flag at Jerome Center’s War Memorial and youth sharing what pride means to them. Next was a LGBTQ youth support group at GO Art! to provide a “safe space to share challenges and triumphs, meet new friends and get ready for Pride.” Later in the evening, there was a “big, fabulous” block party at First Presbyterian Church, accented with an ice cream chill truck, rock painting, tie-dying and other assorted family activities.

Next up is a GLOW OUT 5K Run and Celebration that begins and ends at Centennial Park. That event is set for 5 to 9 p.m. on June 9.  It begins on Richmond Avenue in front of Centennial Park and winds around Bank and Ross streets, Washington and Ellicott avenues and back to Centennial.

Just a few days later is to be the GLOW OUT parade and festival, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 11 at Batavia City Centre parking lot. Some 15 vendors and an estimated 600 participants are expected for the event, according to the organizer, GLOW OUT President Gregory Hallock.

According to nationalday.com, Pride Month is celebrated every June as a tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots. On a hot summer’s night in New York on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. The raid resulted in bar patrons, staff, and neighborhood residents rioting onto Christopher Street outside, the website states. Among the many leaders of the riots was a black, trans, bisexual woman, Marsha P. Johnson, leading the movement to continue over six days with protests and clashes. Protestors clearly demonstrated their message, and demanded the establishment of places where LGBT+ people could go and be open about their sexual orientation without fear of arrest.

Batavia will be one of the numerous backdrops for Pride concerts, festivals, parades and other celebratory activities. 

Photos by Howard Owens

Press release:

With the support of Rochester Regional Health and a multitude of local, caring churches and organizations, GLOW OUT! will kick off Pride Month with a variety of youth-centered events on June 1 in Batavia.

Festivities begin at 3:30 pm at the Jerome Center’s War Memorial with a youth-created and youth-led Opening Ceremony featuring the Pride Flag being raised to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and hearing from youth what Pride means to them.

LGBTQ+ youth and their allies (ages 12-21) are then invited to GO Art! from 4:00 to 6:00 pm for their Drop-In Center which provides a safe space to share challenges and triumphs, meet new friends, and get ready for Pride. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet with a team of informed and supportive medical professionals from UMMC's Batavia Primary Care’s Family Medicine Doctors who are ready to answer questions and provide resources before summer starts.

The fun continues from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Batavia’s First Presbyterian where a number of churches and organizations are throwing a big, fabulous Block Party featuring the Ice Cream and Chill Truck, rock painting, tie-dying, and tons of family fun! Feeling extra festive? Then come dressed in your ultimate Pride outfit, ready to dance, be fabulous, and win some really great prizes! During this time GLOW OUT! will also announce their Rainbow Court made up of the youth leaders for the upcoming year. These five superstars represent youth from three counties who work hard in their high school GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances), and have been selected to share their talents in education, social justice, fundraising, social media, and activity planning. They will be creating meaningful and engaging events for the region’s LGBTQ+ in the year ahead and celebrating in the Pride Parade. We hope you join us in announcing and congratulating them! All ages are
welcome.

GLOW OUT! is thrilled to be starting our festivities with immense community support! Your appreciation and support of the LGBTQ+ population and the need to protect our youth has never been clearer. We thank you for your support! As the youth reminds us in their choice of songs, we’re all born beautiful!

• I'm beautiful in my way because God makes no mistakes
• I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way
• Don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself, and you're set
• I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way

Pride Kick-Off events are free and open to the public. Please visit www.glowout.org for more information about the organization and upcoming Pride events, including the Parade and Festival taking place on June 11 in Batavia.

Batavia celebrated Pride Month in a big way this weekend. Events started on Thursday and continue through Sunday. GLOW OUT in conjunction with GO ART! hosted today's festivities that included a parade, a Drag Show, and a baseball game of “Celebrities” vs. the Drag Queens.  

The Pride Parade celebrates individual freedom to be who you want to be without being bullied, repressed or ostracized for who you are. Many marching in today's parade were family members showing unity and support for loved ones and families who are part of the LGBTQ community. 

GLOW OUT is hoping to raise money to hire a part-time director to help the LGBTQ community connect to the resources they may need including financial, shelter, health, and moral support. 

For more information on or to donate to GLOW OUT please go to this website here.

For more pictures of today's events go to jimburns.org.

Information provided by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

The long "weekend" of events celebrating LGTBQ+ Pride Month continues in Batavia through June 13, hosted by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

This evening, June 11, from 6 to 8:30 at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church (300 E. Main St.), there will be a Game Night and Royal Court Competition, for all ages. There will be food (individually wrapped), outdoor games and board games, plus free make-and-take baby sunflowers and sidewalk chalk art.

The Royal Court Competition at the church begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all genders and ages. It is judged on best costume and dance moves. The theme is DISCO. All are invited to attend. Masks are required. Regulations are subject to change.

Also tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at GO ART! (201 E. Main St., Batavia) there will be a Disco Open Mic and Piano Bar hosted by the incomparable Drag Queen -- Ms. Figgy Pudding. This event will be for ages 21+.

GO ART! is opening Tavern 2.o.1, for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March of 2020, for the LGBTQ+ community. Come read your favorite poem, try your skills at stand-up and disco, or sing your favorite Broadway tune (bring your own music our look through our extensive collection). GO ART!'s own Theresa Kehl will be at the piano.

There is no door fee, but tipping your entertainers is encouraged. Masks are required at this event. Regulations are subject to change.

Saturday, June 12, is the annual Pride Parade starting at 10 a.m. at GO ART! If marching, lineup will be at 9 a.m. We proceed from GO ART's historic Seymour Place building to Dwyer Stadium (at Denio and Bank) where the Pride Festival will be held.

This will feature a cornhole tournament hosted by Pride Sports USA (volunteers needed to assist), and be full of amazing Drag Queen performances, including our headliner, Mrs. Kasha Davis from "RuPaul’s Drag Race"! Also entertaining will be the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus, the Fortunatones, and more! Vivian Darling & DeeDee Dubois will be emceeing.

The festival at the stadium runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is the only event city requiring a ticket. Food and alcohol concessions will be offered for purchase by Dwyer Stadium.

On June 12 there will also be a concert at Jam at the Ridge in Le Roy starting at 4 p.m. The headline performer will be Ddendyl Hoyt, of Western New York, who is best known for her appearance on Season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Tickets are $10 for lawn seats; $20 for VIP seating.

On Sunday, June 13 its Drag Queen Story Hour at GO-ART! at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. hosted by Ms. Figgy Pudding. In addition, there will also be Drag Queen Bingo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Two years ago, Batavia Pride had its inaugural year that was so well received in the community! After a year off, we are excited to come back bigger than ever with more events and opportunities for our community to show their PRIDE!

You can sign up for all events here.

Disclaimer

Due to COVID-19 regulations, masks will be required and different events will have different policies and rules. Please check out our website for COVID-19 regulations for each individual event!

Press release:

Happy Pride Month! June is established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals have had on the world. LGBTQIA+ groups celebrate this special time with pride parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other group gatherings.

It’s also important to recognize that the LGBTQIA+ community has been impacted by various mental health issues, including problem gambling. Problem gambling is anytime someone’s life is negatively impacted by their gambling habits. This could be financial struggles, relationship or partner issues, conflicts with work and school, and even translating to criminal behavior.

Unfortunately, there is limited research on the prevalence of gambling addiction among the LGBTQIA+ community. However, the information that is available does suggest that there is a correlation between problem gambling and those who identify as gay, bisexual, and transgender.

A 2006 U.S. study reports that 21 percent of 105 men seeking treatment for problem gambling identified as gay or bisexual. That percentage is seven times higher than the (reported) rate of gay and bisexual men in the general population (21 percent as opposed to 3 percent), raising the possibility that gay/bi men might be at increased risk for problem gambling (Grant, JE, and Potenza, MN, 2006).

Additionally, a 2015 Australian study reports that 20.2 percent of 69 LGBT participants met DSM V criteria for gambling disorder. Pub/slot games (58 percent) and scratch-offs (43 percent) were most common about LGBTI populations. The amount spent ranged from $1 - $3K per month. Reasons were “because it is fun” and “because I like the feeling.”

The most important takeaway from these limited studies is that it’s important to have a comprehensive screening system in place for all individuals receiving treatment for problem gambling, especially screening specifically for LGBTQIA+ folks who are already in care or seeking treatment for mental health or chemical dependency needs.

First and foremost, establishing a safe environment for clients should be a normalized step within all counseling and therapy-related practices. Secondly, help is available for problem gambling no matter how you identify.

The Western Problem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC) is excited to promote our clinicians who are experienced in treating LGBTQIA+ individuals, as well as have training in cultural humility. Below are some barrier-free options the Western PGRC offers our community:

1. In person or teletherapy counseling (individual or couples therapy)
2. Connection to Gambler’s Anonymous or Gam-Anon
3. Online family support group
4. Guidance through the NYS Casino Self-Exclusion Program
5. Online tools and resources, including self-assessment screening
6. Connection to statewide inpatient and outpatient treatment services

To get started, call the Western PGRC at (716) 833-4274 or email WesternPGRC@nyproblemgambling.org

For more information, visit https://nyproblemgamblinghelp.org/.

Press release:

The Little Free Pantry will be hosting a FREE Make-and-Take Baby Sunflower Station and sidewalk chalk art as part of the Pride Game Night and Royal Court Crowning at Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 11.

Make and take your own baby sunflower -- soil, seed and containers provided.

A Plant Sale by donation will also be offered. It features an assortment of potted plants and garden vegetable plants (tomatoes, peppers, cukes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)

Express your Pride with sidewalk chalk art, supplies will be provided to decorate the sidewalk in front of the church on Main Street.

The Presbyterian church is having a fun evening of ice cream (Ice Cream and Chill Truck), outdoor games, board games and a Royal Court Competition to celebrate Pride Month. The Royal Court Competition begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all genders and ages. The competition is judged and the best costume and dance moves, the theme is DISCO.

For more information: https://www.lfpbatavia.org

Information provided by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

A long "weekend" of events celebrating LGTBQ+ Pride Month is planned for Batavia June 10 - 13, hosted by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

"We are the only large-scale festival happening (here) this year and we want to make sure that as many people know about it as possible," wrote GLOW OUT Board Member Jacqueline McLean in an email to The Batavian.

Kicking things off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10 is a Pride Color Run 5K that starts and ends at Centennial Park. Rainbow colors will be thrown at the end of the 5K and there will be a DJ in the park.

Volunteers are needed to: put up 1K, 2K, 3K and 4K markers/signs; hand out swag bags and check people in; cheer along the route/redirect traffic; hand out water at the halfway point; and put out and take down traffic blockers/sawhorses; as well as time the race.

On Friday, June 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church (300 E. Main St.), there will be a Game Night and Royal Court Competition, for all ages. There will be food (individually wrapped), outdoor games and board games. The Royal Court Competition begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all genders and ages. It is judged on best costume and dance moves. The theme is DISCO. All are invited to attend. Masks are required. Regulations are subject to change.

Also on June 11 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at GO ART! (201 E. Main St., Batavia) there will be a Disco Open Mic and Piano Bar hosted by the incomparable Drag Queen -- Ms. Figgy Pudding. This event will be for ages 21+.

GO ART! is opening Tavern 2.o.1, for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March of 2020, for the LGBTQ+ community. Come read your favorite poem, try your skills at stand-up and disco, or sing your favorite Broadway tune (bring your own music our look through our extensive collection). GO ART!'s own Theresa Kehl will be at the piano.

There is no door fee, but tipping your entertainers is encouraged. Masks are required at this event. Regulations are subject to change.

On Saturday, June 12 we will have our annual Pride Parade, starting at 10 a.m. at GO ART! If marching, lineup will be at 9 a.m. We proceed from GO ART's historic Seymour Place building to Dwyer Stadium (at Denio and Bank) where the Pride Festival will be held.

This will feature a cornhole tournament hosted by Pride Sports USA (volunteers needed to assist), and be full of amazing Drag Queen performances, including our headliner, Mrs. Kasha Davis from "RuPaul’s Drag Race"! Also entertaining will be the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus, the Fortunatones, and more! Vivian Darling & DeeDee Dubois will be emceeing.

The festival at the stadium runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is the only event city requiring a ticket. Food and alcohol concessions will be offered for purchase by Dwyer Stadium.

On June 12 there will also be a concert at Jam at the Ridge in Le Roy starting at 4 p.m. The headline performer will be Ddendyl Hoyt, of Western New York, who is best known for her appearance on Season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Tickets are $10 for lawn seats; $20 for VIP seating.

On Sunday, June 13 we will be offering a Drag Queen Story Hour at GO-ART! at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. hosted by Ms. Figgy Pudding. In addition, there will also be Drag Queen Bingo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Two years ago, Batavia Pride had its inaugural year* that was so well received in the community! After a year off, we are excited to come back bigger than ever with more events and opportunities for our community to show their PRIDE!

You can sign up for all events here.

Disclaimer

Due to COVID-19 regulations, masks will be required and different events will have different policies and rules. Please check out our website for COVID-19 regulations for each individual event!

*Video below is from the first Pride Parade in 2019.

Michael Ilasi produced this video about the GO Out! Gay Pride Parade in Batavia on Friday.

Here's video from yesterday evening's GO Out!, gay pride parade, in Batavia.

Genesee-Orleans OUT! will be hosting their first ever Pride Parade and Festival in Batavia from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, June 28th.

Lineup for the parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Austin Park in Batavia. The parade will conclude on Bank Street at the GO ART! building where there will be food and entertainment! It is located at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

For more information and to register for the Pride Parade please go to www.goart.org and click on the Program & Events tab or contact Gregory Hallock directly at (585) 343-9313 or ghallock@goart.org

Photo of Luca (real name Luke Farner) courtesy of Julia McCormick Photography.

Press release:

BERGEN -- On Nov. 4^th Luka will be performing at the largest Pride celebration in Southern California. Luka will perform immediately following the Pride Parade through downtown Palm Springs capping off the last day of Pride Week.

The Greater Palm Springs Pride Week in Downtown Palm Springs is the setting for a vibrant, pedestrian friendly Pride Festival, unique to Southern California in the Coachella Valley. A diverse array of artists, entertainers, LGBTQ+ supporters, and celebrities will unite to celebrate achievements in social equality, diversity and unity.

Luka will be celebrating with the Pride Parade on Sunday, Nov. 4^th, and performing on the Museum Stage, in the heart of downtown, next to the Palm Springs Art Museum.

He will be giving the crowd some New York’s favorites including: Lesbe Honest, Nobody’s B#tch, King Bee, and XXXtra Terrestrial. Luka has performed in venues around New York and is excited to make his first debut on the California entertainment scene.

“I am honored and blessed to be invited to participate Palm Springs Pride,” Luka said. “This event means so much to me and honors all generations of LGBTQ+ community members and supporters.

"We would never be here today, celebrating our unity and equality without the pioneers who deeply relentlessly sacrificed themselves to achieve equality for all individuals.”

About Luka: Luka is a singer songwriter artist (real name Luke Farner) who lives in Bergen. He has been writing and performing since he was 8 years old. He is also a renowned stylist fashion guru adored by many of his clients. Luka lives with his 14-year-old kitty Anastasia Marie. Find more about Luka here.

About Palm Springs Pride: Greater Palm Springs Pride is a nonprofit community enhancement organization founded to promote the public education and awareness of individual rights and civil liberties of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and to promote the history, diversity and future prosperity of the Greater Palm Springs LGBT community. Serving as an advocate for equality and diversity in the Coachella Valley for 30 years.