Union County LGBTQ Pride Events - Upcoming This Week!

I want to thank everyone who came out to the Union County Pride Flag-Raising on Friday, June 7 (See below for images). It was my honor and pleasure to serve as the Emcee for this awesome event, which was dedicated to the memory and activism of the late Marsha P. Johnson, a native of Elizabeth and one of the initiators of the Stonewall uprising in 1969. Along with my Freeholder colleagues, I have attended a number of LGBTQ Pride Flag Raising events and activities over the past two weeks, including those in Summit, Springfield, Westfield, and Rahway.* I am excited about our upcoming events!

Join us this Friday, June 14 as we continue to celebrate LGBTQ Pride at Light Up the Night: TEEN PRIDE, for LGBTQ and ally high school students. The event will run from 6:00 - 10:00 PM at Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton St. in Rahway. There will be a DJ, dancing, comedy, food, refreshments, and a fabulous drag queen emcee. High school students must have valid school ID, parental consent, and tickets, which are $20 and available for purchase online at ucpac.org. No tickets will be sold at the door. 

Join us also this Saturday, June 15 as we celebrate Community Pride Day in Rahway River Park from 12:00 noon - 5:00 PM. 

From the press release: "Union County PRIDE in the Park 2019 will include a full schedule of entertainment and activities including PRIDE-themed teen arts and children's crafts, family lawn games, inflatable bounce houses, and much more. Experience Rizzo’s Wildlife World with snakes, lizards and more during their kid-friendly interactive presentation at 1:00 PM (sponsored by Clean Communities). An Equality Rally featuring New Jersey’s own Drag Queen Harmonica Sunbeam as emcee will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances. The Boy Band Project - an interactive recreation that re-imagines the sound, movement, and pulse of the dynamic harmonies and vocals of Nsync, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, One Direction, Boyz II Men, and more - will take the stage at 3PM. JUST ANNOUNCED: the band will be premiering their new single. Join us for a special post performance meet and greet! Dozens of LGBTQ and ally organizations and advocacy groups will be on-site with information and educational materials, as well as networking resources.

*Please see my other blog (click here: Confessions of a Bathrobe Blogger) for the cross-reference to upcoming Plainfield Pride events! 

Several elected officials from Union County municipalities joined us!

With Freeholder Sergio Granados, who created the Office of LGBTQ Affairs as Chairman in 2018!

Wesley McWhite III, of the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation relates the importance of Marsha P. Johnson's legacy.

Danni Newbury, Coordinator of the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs tells her story.

Beautiful performance of "Seasons of Love," by the Jefferson Academy A Capella Choir.

The hoisting of the LGBTQ Pride Flag.