LYNN — United Lynn Pride is celebrating its first Pride Month as an official nonprofit this June. Executive Director Cristian Recinos said that last year’s Pride events brought the organization together.
“I feel like it’s something that’s been needed for a long time,” Recinos said.
For a while, he said, members of the city’s LGBTQ+ community had to go to Salem or Boston for services, events, and community.
“But there’s a significant population here in the city, so I think it was time that there was something for them here,” Recinos said.
Now, United Lynn Pride is holding many events over the next few weeks to celebrate Pride Month.
On June 18, St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church will be having a Sunday Pride Service from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“St. Stephen’s prior to United Lynn Pride has always been a welcoming place for all people. There were actually some youth Pride events happening there prior to the organization so they’ve always been allies to the LGBTQ+ community,” Recinos said.
On June 19 the Lynn Museum will host a Pride Panel Discussion.
“This year, our topic is going to be on education and the importance of being able to discuss gender and sexuality in the classroom,” Recinos said.
The museum will also host a LGBTQ+ artist showcase on June 19. There is a call for art out, and Recinos said the last day to submit is June 9.
The annual Pride Flag Raising at City Hall will be held on June 20 at 5 p.m. This event will feature speeches, including one from Mayor Jared Nicholson. Local dance group In The Mak’n will also perform at the flag raising.
After the flag raising, the Pride, Food, and Fellowship community meal will be held at St. Stephen’s Church from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
“People can come by and socialize with one another,” Recinos said. “I hope that people will meet the community… Hopefully at this luncheon, people will make some friends and know that the community is there.”
Pride, Food, and Fellowship will be a potluck, so Recinos said people are welcome to bring their own dishes.
On June 20, there will be a Rainbow Bridge Lighting event at 7:30 p.m. underneath the Commuter Rail bridge at Central Square. At this event, United Lynn Pride will be recognizing an honoree.
“There’ll be some music, there’ll be a DJ there, and there will also be some performers there as well,” Recinos said.
The performers will be Cultura Latina Dance Academy, Dave Simmons, and Joe Skahan.
On June 21, a 21+ Pride Paint Nite will be held at the Galleries at Lynn Arts from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The tickets are $15.
“Sunil [Gulab], a local artist and member of the LGBTQ+ community, will be facilitating the event and it’s just a good time to have some creative expression,” Recinos said.
On June 22, Demakes Family YMCA will host a Pride Zumbathon at 6 p.m.
The Youth Pride event will take place at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on June 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“The youth of the community are so important and are really the ones, I think at this time, that need the most support,” Recinos said. “I hope that this space is going to be a space where they can have a good time, they can be amongst their peers who support them.”
On June 24, there will be a 21+ event called Queerified Loud & Proud at the Vault at LynnArts at 9 p.m. The performers are DJ No Jokez, Just JP, and Aeryn Smoke.
United Lynn Pride will then be joining the North Shore Pride’s Annual Parade in Salem on June 24 at 12 p.m. For those wishing to join, the carpool meetup will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Stephens Church.
The last scheduled event from United Lynn Pride is with Kayak & Sail Lynn at the Stoneham Boat Center on June 28 at 7 p.m.
Visit Unitedlynnpride.com to register for these events.
