OUTWorks Brings Pride Back To Bridgeport

Mr. CT Leather Ryan Sperry with artist Ricky Mestre at Greater Bridgeport Pride in 2019. The celebration was moved online last year in light of Covid-19.  Lucy Gellman Pre-Pandemic File Photo. 

Rain tried to wash out Bridgeport’s pride festivities in 2019. A global pandemic forced the big 10-year anniversary to become a nearly all virtual event. But with the state recovering from a pandemic and blue skies in the forecast, the Park City’s premier Pride weekend is back and ready to show off OUTworks.

The annual Greater Bridgeport Pride festivities run July 30-31, starting with the OUTworks art exhibition opening reception at City Lights Gallery. The exhibition, which runs well beyond the weekend until Sept. 8, “explores issues of gender, LGBTQ life, love and relationships, family, social justice, bias, personal stories and perspectives, pride and the current issues of 2021,” according to a call for artists on the gallery's website.

In addition to the exhibition, the weekend is full of musical performances, film and drag between City Lights, Downtown Bridgeport and the Bijou Theatre. More details are available here.

“It’s celebratory, affirming,” said Suzanne Kachmar, who co-founded Greater Bridgeport Pride with artist Ricky Mestre over a decade ago. “It’s about solidarity, being proud and not making excuses or apologies for who you are.”

The celebration is also  inclusive, Kachmar said. Regardless of one’s sexual preference or gender identity or expression, every ally is welcome to come join the party and the OUTworks art exhibition. The call for artists emphasized creating a platform that was diverse, supportive and respectful, Mestre said.

“Our mission is to always leverage the arts when we are serving the community, and reflecting and respecting the community,” he said.

From One Exhibit To Two-Day Extravaganza

Ricky Mestre (center) and Suzanne Kachmar (right) accept an award for their role in founding Bridgeport Pride. Ali Oshinskie Pre-Pandemic File Photo. 

Greater Bridgeport Pride started 11 years ago on Golden Hill Street, with a single LGBTQIA+ art exhibit in City Lights. Mestre and Kachmar worked hard to plan the pride-centric gallery show and had plenty of artists and artwork on display—almost too many to be viewed inside the space. 

“We realized that we were the first gay art show in Fairfield County, and maybe even in the state,” Kachmar recalled. “Which for me was kind of shocking to me that that hadn't happened.”

Mestre said that despite that success, he felt a bit down in the early days as he watched people come in to see the exhibit and leave. He wanted people to experience the emotion and feel proud as they viewed the work. The gears inside his head began to turn as he thought about what exactly he could do to accommodate the crowds of people the exhibition was drawing.

Mestre's work is often also on display. Ricky Mestre Photo. 

And then it came to him. Why not close off the street for the day and create an event where people would have something else to do after they viewed the art exhibit? Mestre shared his idea with Kachmar. 

He envisioned a Pride march through the streets. He had images in his head of cheering revelers and spectators, colorful flags and banners taking over the streets of downtown Bridgeport.

Kachmar liked the idea. Though they both knew it was going to require significant work and focus. But they also saw a city that deserved a Pride celebration that was as loud and exuberant as they were. 

Now, it’s a tradition to march down the streets of Bridgeport and drew attention and support from the whole town. Attendees show their pride, because they don't have to hide, they said. And they’re both happy that the event is back and able to be in-person again.

Back To The Future

Dolores Dégagé performing at Greater Bridgeport Pride in 2019. Lucy Gellman Pre-Pandemic File Photo. 

This year’s festivities promise to be as spectacular as previous years.

With support from the Bridgeport City Council and grant funding, the event this year has some new elements. In addition to the OUTworks opening reception and traditional pride parade through the streets, attendees can stay for a variety show produced by Mestre and hosted by Dolores Dégagé at the Bijou Theatre. An afterparty at Trevi Lounge in Fairfield will close out the first day’s events.

Day two will coincide with the monthly ARTcade artisanal and vintage shopping and art market, along with several live musical performances of everything from indie rock to jazz. Attendees will also have an opportunity to take in some cinema.

There will be a showing at the Bijou of the curator’s choice of original shorts by LGBTQ+ filmmakers who participated in the Bridgeport Film Festival, followed by a showing of the full length documentary about an artist’s response to the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting called  “Disarm Hate.”

As a finale, Greater Bridgeport Pride will close out with a Retro-Camp and Drag Show and performance from the Golden Gays NYC, featuring performances by David Maioco as Liberace. After months of planning, both Mestre and Kachmar said they are excited for it to begin.

For more information, email clgallerybpt@gmail.com. Jewel Booker is a graduate of the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative. She recently finished her senior year at New Haven Academy.