We are #SouthingtonPRIDE
We are Southington PRIDE, a group of local community members, elected officials, and business leaders working to launch Southington's first LGBTQIA+ celebration from May 22nd - June 6th 2021.
Our organization is proud of our coalition of private businesses, town organizations, and community members helping to coordinate our events. In 2021, Southington PRIDE will feature multiple events including our Youth and Family PRIDE Event, Flag Raising Ceremony at Town Hall, Events at SoCCA + Southington Library, Educational Panels, partnering with restaurants for our PRIDE Passport Program, and promoting private businesses events running during this period to celebrate PRIDE. Our goal is to bring events to the community of Southington with a focus on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.
Want to learn more about us and including our plans for 2021? Scroll below for more details. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/southingtonpride , follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/southingtonpride/ , and email us directly at Southingtonpride@gmail.com for more information on our plans!
Why PRIDE in Southington?
Founded in February 1779, Southington is a suburban community located in Central Connecticut less than 30 minutes from the state capitol Hartford, CT. The City of Progress, Southington offers a thriving economic sector, excellent public school system, and a diverse/accepting community.
As a community, PRIDE allows for us to work together to help support and uplift one another ensuring that we are an accepting and affirming community for all.
Our events, celebrations, and discussions will be geared towards providing an understanding of a variety of different communities within Southington and their needs. Keep scrolling to learn more about our 2021 events we will be hosting in the town of Southington!
Youth and Family PRIDE Festival
Saturday May 29th 2021
We will be hosting a Youth and Family PRIDE Festival on Saturday May 29th 2021. This event will include family fun hour activities stations, touch-a-truck zone, and feature a Drag Queen Story hour presentation.
We are partnering with local youth organizations to both sponsor this event and present to families all the activities their organization has to offer our youth. This event is free to the community and all are welcome to attend!
Are you a local dance studio, karate studio, music studio, and/or youth organization who would like to both have a booth to present and sponsor at this event? Email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com for more information!
More details about this event to come in March 2021.
PRIDE on Center
May 22nd - June 6th
We are partnering with Center Street Restaurants to present PRIDE on Center! Our goal is to decorate Center Street for PRIDE, offer drink/meal specials for our events, and each restaurant participating will be included in our PRIDE Passport Program! To learn more about our PRIDE Passport Program, scroll below.
Are you a Center Street Restaurant Owner or a restaurant/bar close to the Town Green who would like to join PRIDE on Center? Email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com.
Participating Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries will be announced in mid-March 2021.
PRIDE Passport Program
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
We will be offering a PRIDE Passport Program featuring different meal/drink specials and opportunities throughout town to win prizes! Those who have been to all of the restaurants by the end of our PRIDE Celebrations and submit their completed passport will be entered to win a prize!
Further details on our PRIDE Passport Program will be released in May 2021 prior to Southington PRIDE. This will include a digital PDF link to download your own PRIDE 2021 Passport.
If you are a restaurant, bar, or brewery interested in joining the Southington PRIDE Passport Program, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com or message us directly via Facebook Messenger.
PRIDE Flag Raising Ceremony
Saturday June 5th 2021
We will be holding a PRIDE flag raising ceremony at Town Hall in Southington on June 5th 2021! Afterwards, we will be hosting several education panels and discussions in Southington throughout the town on a variety of different topics. Scroll below to learn more about our educational panels we are planning for this day.
Educational Panels
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
In conjunction with our local non-profit partner organizations, we will be hosting free educational panels throughout town on a variety of different topics. These topics include discussions on the LGBTQIA+ community, intersectionality, how we can support those with disabilities in our community, and a youth advisory panel.
Our goal with these discussions is to help educate and promote awareness on how we can all support each other best.
We will be publishing our schedule of educational events and their locations in Mid-March 2021. All educational panels will be free to the community and we will be offering virtual options to attend.
Southington Library Programming
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
We are partnering with the Southington Library to help offer events, literature, and discussions during PRIDE on a variety of different topics pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Events and discussion dates will be posted in mid-March on our calendar of events.
To learn more about the Southington Library, their offerings, and to get in contact with them about obtaining information/literature, please visit https://www.southingtonlibrary.org/
Art Presentations and Events
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
We are partnering with SoCCA to provide art events, discussions, and community engagement opportunities for PRIDE. Information on specific events will be provided in our calendar of events in mid-March 2021.
To learn more about SoCCA, please visit them at their website https://www.southingtonarts.org/
Local Business Events
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
We are partnering with several local businesses to offer events such as a cake decorating opportunity, musical performances, and fundraisers for various charities and non-profit organizations
More information including an official calendar of events will be released in mid-March 2021.
If you are local restaurant, business, store, and/or non-profit organization interested in leading your own PRIDE event for Southington PRIDE, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com
Supporting Non-Profits
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
As an organization, we are committed to our PRIDE event giving back to several local and national non-profit organizations. At our events we will be offering collections, opportunities to volunteer, and information on how we can all support those in need from our community.
We will be announcing more information on our specific donation opportunities, volunteer events, and information on how to support our community during the lead up to PRIDE, during PRIDE, and after our PRIDE events conclude.
If you are a local non-profit organization, national non-profit organization, or community service interested in partnering with Southington PRIDE to help raise awareness/donations for your organization, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com
Virtual Events
May 22nd - June 6th 2021
We will be offering several virtual events during Southington PRIDE including our flag raising ceremony at Town Hall, live-streaming our educational panels and discussions, and live-streaming a Drag Queen Story Hour in conjunction with the Southington Library.
More information on our virtual offerings will be provided in our calendar of events in mid-March 2021.
If you are a local business, non-profit organization, or community service interested in working with Southington PRIDE on leading your own virtual event, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com
Southington PRIDE and Covid-19
As an organization, we are fully committed to following all national, state, and local guidelines for PRIDE 2021. All of our in-person events and partner organizations in-person events will be following the latest Covid-19 guidelines, recommendations, and procedures.
We will be offering virtual events, live-streams, and opportunities to be engaged with PRIDE 2021 virtually allowing everyone to be along with us on this journey.
Further, we are committed to promoting town businesses, non-profit organizations, and community services that have continued to go above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.
All Southington PRIDE 2021 events are both subject to modification and change due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We will be working closely with state, business, and local health department officials on all of our events/protocols. To learn more about our events and preparations we are making in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com
Need some Southington PRIDE Gear?
We've got you covered! Our goal is to provide as many free events to our community as possible. Our fundraiser through Custom Ink is now live offering Adult/Youth long-sleeves and Car Magnets. As well, there is a feature for monetary contributions if you would like to donate, but are not interested in acquiring apparel. Check them out at www.customink.com/fundraising/southingtonpride2021 . It even offers nationwide shipping for those both in and out of town!
All proceeds made from this event will go towards our PRIDE 2021 events. For more information about our Custom Ink Fundraiser or if you are a local business interested in partnering with us for this fundraiser, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com for more information.
Interested in Volunteering with Southington PRIDE?
Are you interested in volunteering with Southington PRIDE? We would love to have you aboard!
We are a group of volunteer community members working together to launch this organization and event. We have opportunities to both work on our committees Pre-PRIDE and to help volunteer at our events during PRIDE.
To learn more about how to be involved, please email us at Southingtonpride@gmail.com or message us directly via Facebook Messenger.
Credits:
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