In Photos: North Haven Celebrates Pride

Mars McCann takes special attention to the Pride flag as they carefully begin to hoist it up during the North Haven Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at the North Haven Public Library.

Logan Krastev shares his favorite parts about being a member of North Haven Pride while reminding the crowd that at the end of the day, above all else, we are all human. "Before all else, I myself am a son, brother, husband, cat and dog dad, co-worker, neighbor, business owner, and being queer and trans is only one facet of my identity that doesn't wholly define who I am, or anyone else."

"At North Haven Pride, we are united by a shared vision - fostering acceptance and inclusivity within our small town," he continued. "We work together toward building a common goal of building a community where everyone can thrive in their authentic selves. Though our celebration may still be modest in size, it truly is immense in heart and meaning and serves as a powerful reminder to the community that everyone is welcome here regardless of who they are or whom they love. Today's flag-raising represents love, acceptance, and the unwavering support we offer to one another."

Scott Friedman, treasurer and executive member of the North Haven Pride Committee enjoys an especially clever quip during Logan Krastev's welcoming remarks at the North Haven Pride Flag Raising Ceremony held at the North Haven Public Library.

"It is so amazingly incredible to see the number of people who are part of the planning of this because it has grown exponentially from last year and yet again it is amazing to see the kids, teens, and young adults that spoke up last year that are back," he said. "I'm just really pleased with the way the community has come together to support pride."

"For years here since I have taken office, I have strived to have a community that is warm, inclusive, loving, and caring," said First Selectman and Mayor of North Haven, Mike Freda. "In the midst of so much turmoil across the world and across the United States, we must always remember that we have to stay together as a community."

"Today's event, the second Annual Pride event here in North Haven, I hope, represents to each and every one of you a powerful symbol of how important it is to embrace diversity and not condemn it. We as human beings and people, we all have differences of opinion. We all maybe have a different type of lifestyle and family lifestyle that we we abide by and live towards but it's so important to understand how embracing diversity is critical to the success of a community and the success of a society. I've said it before and I'll say it again - for as long as I'm here in North Haven, we will continue to celebrate Pride week in June."

Libraries Unite! A rep, or fan, of the Wallingford Public Library.

As Connecticut State Treasurer Erik Russell spoke, he said that that living authentically and celebrating with joy are also acts of radical resistance.

"As we celebrate, it's important to remember that Pride started as a riot," he said. "This was about people that were through with being stepped on and bullied and discriminated against and were willing to push back."

"So as we celebrate Pride, I think it's really important to remind yourselves that pride and joy and celebration is an act of resistance in and of itself."

North Haven Pride Committee Co-Chair Brandi Mandato supports senior community member, Merv Chaplin, as he reflects on being a father and "a granddad who later in life discovered that I am truly a gay man after all."

Merv shared an experience when in 1993, his son Jay invited him to a Pride celebration at the University of California. He reminisced about how he and his son placed cardboard signs around their necks stating "Proud of my gay father" and "Proud of my straight son" before marching the "full length of the parade as many thousands of people applauded and snapped pictures. It was a wonderful time."

"But Pride for me was finished when a reporter from a local newspaper rushed up and asked if she could interview us," he continued. "Here's the clincher, I had to say no because at that time I was working for a religious, homophobic organization and I was afraid the word would get back to them and I would be fired and believe me that would have happened so I said no I couldn't be interviewed now contrast that with today.

"This country has come a long way I'm proud of the progress that we have made. God it's time isn't it? So I'm very very thankful to see that flag waving up there. I'm proud of our Pride flag long may it way over North Haven."

Mars McCann, Amy Wilemski, Emma Arenberg and Lucy Grotzke of the North Haven Senior Girl Scout Troupe #60387 "post the colors" by raising the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag during the North Haven Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at the North Haven Public Library last Friday, May 31st.