This year’s Rochester Pride Parade and Festival brought hundreds of people out on a sunny day to celebrate Pride and encourage all individuals to express their authentic selves.
People lined each side of South Avenue as more than 200 groups and floats went by in the parade. People were decked out in bright colors while also displaying the rainbow symbol in many shapes and forms.
The end of the parade led to a festival being held in Highland Park where people could enjoy live performances, food trucks and vendors.
Even though Pride is typically celebrated in June, in Rochester it is traditionally celebrated in July. The tradition began when the city held its first Pride picnic in the early 1970s.
Since then this picnic has expanded into holding several other events such as the parade and festival.
A continuing legacy
Jason Barnecut-Kearns, president and CEO of Trillium Health, described how this event brings together humanity and how it’s really important to find time to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
“In today’s society it’s important we continue the legacy of celebrating Pride as both the Trillum and Rochester community has always been there,” Barnecut-Kearns said. “We have to be heard and continue to provide this support to everybody that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and also acknowledging allies and supporters.”
Assemblyman Harry Bronson and Reverend Myra Brown served as the Pride Grand Marshal and Honorary Marshal for this year’s event. Pride marshals are people who have made contributions to better the life of the LGBTQ community.
Bronson explained how this event makes people aware of how Pride is celebrated in the community.
“Even though we may love differently or identify differently, we’re just regular folk who want to do well for ourselves and for our family,” Bronson said. “This celebration is part of saying we’re loud and proud and we want to have equality like anybody else.”
As Pride Grand Marshal Bronson said this was an opportunity for him to continue promoting the message of hope.
“I have a saying that many people have heard- no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, how you identify, what your abilities are, we all have dignity,” Bronson said. “With that dignity we deserve equity, justice and opportunities.”
Jeff and Heather Zielinski attended the parade and festival, taking part in celebrating the LGBTQ community. For them pride means allowing people to live as they want.
“There should be empathy for everybody and this is the most empathetic and welcoming place you can be,” Jeff said.
The couple also expressed how it is important to hold this event in today’s society especially when the LGBTQ community faces threats from the Trump administration.
“I’m a preschool teacher and as a person watching the erasure of families from children’s books across this country and the banning of books that show all types of families can exist, it’s very scary,” Heather said. “It’s scary to me that children won’t see themselves and their families represented, so that’s one of the reasons I’m here.”
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: ‘The most empathetic and welcoming place you can be.’ People show out for Pride Parade.
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
