SouthCoast has Pride: Here's where to celebrate LGBTQ unity all month

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SouthCoast has Pride: Here's where to celebrate LGBTQ unity all month
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Buttonwood Park hosts New Bedford Pride
New Bedford Pride in Buttonwood Park attracts over 80 vendors and hundreds of guests to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Seth Chitwood, Standard-Times
New Bedford's Pride Month celebrations kicked off at Buttonwood Park on June 7.
Pride Month events are taking place across the SouthCoast all month.
NEW BEDFORD — Even rain could not stand in the way of celebrating Pride at Buttonwood Park on June 7.
"The skies are gray as well as the political outlook is gray ... this is a sign of unity, strength and resources. We're a strong community. We're resilient, and we'll move forward," said Andy Pollock, president of the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network.
From noon to 5 p.m., the park was bustling with over 50 vendors as well as hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies supporting them.
"I'm here to show my support. My son is part of this community and I'm here to show my love for this community," said Barbara Souza of New Bedford.
Drag performances to community vendors takeover Buttonwood Park
Throughout the afternoon, the top events featured drag performances hosted by Crystal Diamonds, with the Queens of the South Coast and NB Rude Boys, among many others. DJ Eddie provided the soundtrack for the day.
"We're looking forward to a really good, strong, peaceful Pride as we celebrate who we are, our community and what we stand for. We welcome anyone who's willing to help with that mission," Pollock added.
Eileen Dugas, executive director for South Coast LGBTQ+ Network, said she was most excited to see the community still coming together and celebrating their authentic selves.
"I'm looking forward to seeing people happy and celebrating," she said.
"We're just hoping that people understand that this is about togetherness and Pride is for everybody," added Kerry Zeida, board adviser and marketing director for the Network. "It's about the rights for our people, and the rights for everybody. We just hope people come and express their support and appreciation for who we are and what we do."
LGBTQ+ stories: New SouthCoast public art project in the works
Following the Buttonwood Park Pride festival, The Gallery Bar co-hosted the Pride block party. The night also featured drag performances, food trucks and other exciting moments late into the night.
"Pride is about celebration, first and foremost. It's celebrating who we are, what we stand for, and this is our moment to shine, and I can't imagine a better place to do it than at New Bedford Pride," added Zeida.
With a full calendar of events across tNew Bedford, Taunton, Fall River and beyond, this year's festivities promise to showcase the resilience, diversity and joy that define Pride on the SouthCoast.
Here's what's coming up:
New Bedford: AHA! Celebrates Pride with block party in the square
​​AHA!'s pride celebration, in collaboration with the Queer Arts Council of New Bedford, takes place June 12 starting at 3 p.m.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the street will be full of local craft vendors, circus arts, food trucks, live artists, street performers and more. Inside the Steeple Playhouse, don't miss the live drag show from 6 to 8 p.m. hosted by Crystal Diamonds and featuring The Queens of The Southcoast. From 8 to 10 p.m., dance the night away with New Moon Dance Party.
In addition, businesses and organizations across downtown will host musical performances, art demonstrations, kids karaoke, trivia, open mic poetry and more.
New Bedford: 'Being Seen' exhibit launches on June 13
From 6 to 8 p.m., Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute will unveil "Being Seen: Celebrating Pride in the SouthCoast," at Gallery X on Williams Street, an exhibit featuring a community tapestry created by more than 100 residents from Fall River to Wareham.
The event includes a reading by New Bedford's poet laureate, Sarah Jane Mulvey. Visiting Creative Director Liz Collins will provide an artist talk offering insight about her experiences using arts as an activist platform to elevate the queer community.
The event will conclude with a walking public art tour starting at Gallery X and lead to City Hall, a main focal point for the artwork.
This tapestry, part of an 18-month project touring four SouthCoast municipalities through November 2026, is accompanied by an indoor exhibition highlighting the region's connection to the Pride movement.
The exhibition honors influential local figures such as David B. Boyce — whose story is immortalized in George Segal's 'The Gay Liberation Monument' — and recognizes the contributions of residents involved in the fight for marriage equality in Massachusetts.
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Taunton: Hopewell Park hosts fourth annual Pride
Taunton's fourth annual Pride festival takes over Hopewell Park on June 14 from noon to 5 p.m.
Crystal Diamonds and DJ Eddie will host a packed program of live music, dancing, community vendors, food trucks and drag performances. Local favorites Roots Run Wild headline the afternoon, adding homegrown musical flair to the inclusive celebration.
Taunton Pride Afterparty, co-hosted with Bobby's Place will be from 6 p.m. to close.
Westport: Pride Feat at Holy Ghost Club
On June 21, from 12 to 6 p.m. at The Westport Holy Ghost Club, Westport Pride Fest returns for its second year, promising to be bigger, better and brighter as it cultivates love and acceptance throughout the community. With a focus on celebrating diversity and positivity, the festival offers an uplifting atmosphere. Admission, parking and entertainment are free.
Attendees can enjoy delicious food, a full bar, a variety of crafters and vendors, and plenty of fun for all ages. The event is organized by Jessie and Keith Dias, owners of The Cat And Raven in Westport.
Fairhaven: Chalk the Walk at Fairhaven's Got Pride
Celebrate love, equality and community at Fairhaven's Got Pride on June 22. From 4 to 8 p.m, guests are invited outside Town Hall for a festive evening of food trucks, a beer tent, live entertainment and all-ages fun.
Come early at 4 p.m. to 'Chalk the Walk," an opportunity to color the main crosswalk in rainbow colors.
Fall River: Pride events happening all month
In Fall River, Pride Month features a diverse calendar of events at the Fall River LGBTQ+ Community Resource Center on Bedford Street. Throughout June, participants can enjoy creative and social opportunities like weekly LGBTQ+ Dungeons & Dragons sessions on June 8 and 22, as well as fan art exhibits and the chance to craft rainbow wind-catchers and tie-dye shirts.
Mondays and Wednesdays also feature Pride-themed painting sessions from 1 to 3 p.m. and designated times for shirt making on June 16 and 23.
Taunton events to note
Yarn and crafts enthusiasts gather every Monday from noon to 2 pm, while a dedicated Coffee Hour kicks off each week at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays offer open, drop-in craft sessions from 2 to 7 pm, featuring rainbow handprint wreaths, tie-dye and glitter projects.
Wednesdays add a creative flair with activities like making mason jar twinkle lights and fun 'show and tell' or Lego challenges between 4 and 6 pm.
On June 13, there is a walk at Freetown Lodge in the afternoon followed by an evening Pride movie night before the big Taunton Pride celebration.
Later in the month, the senior community is welcomed to a special breakfast on June 25 at Club Munchies.
Additional events in New Bedford area
There is also Pride programming across New Bedford, Westport, Fairhaven and Marion. The Network hosts virtual transgender support groups via Zoom each Tuesday evening, which provide a welcoming space for gender-diverse individuals.
LGBTQ+ Dungeons & Dragons makes an appearance as well, with an inclusive session for members and allies on June 10, at Groundwork New Bedford. Older adults find community at the LGBTQ+ Supper Club for ages 60 and up, meeting at Marion Council on Aging on June 11. There is also an ice cream social held June 13, also at Groundwork New Bedford.
Wellness is highlighted through weekly Pride Yoga with Christopher Swanson, taking place every Friday evening at Sangha in New Bedford. Artistic expression also flourishes with a June art group at the Beyond House Young Adult Access Center on June 23, alongside a diversity group meeting.
Wrapping up the month, adventurous spirits can join LGBTQ+ kayaking on the Westport River with Osprey Sea & Surf Adventures on June 28 before the intergenerational bowling group hits the lanes at Wonder Bowl in New Bedford on June 29.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.