Connecticut Pride 6/5/10

This Saturday marked the 29th annual Connecticut Pride, held in Bushnell Park in Hartford. I can happily report (because that’s what I do) that this was one of the most trans-inclusive queer pride events that I have been to. The event itself opened with a performance by the CT Imperial Sovereign Court’s own Empress and Imperial Crown Princess, Electra Shock and Chanel Couture. As the ISC is a non-profit group that hosts drag shows to raise money for charity, you don’t get much more trans-friendly than that.

Throughout the day, the stage was graced by multiple drag performances, some campy, some seductive, some an outrageous mixture of both. In between the fun and games, of course, were the passionate speeches by everyone from teachers to social workers to pageant winners. Naturally, different groups focused on different things, but it was encouraging to hear how often the community was urged not to forget the tail end of the “GLBT” acronym. Many speakers called for help to end discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

The trans-friendly atmosphere was evident not only in the speakers but also in the groups that had tents set up around the field. Being me, I stopped at every booth that offered transgender resources or shiny rainbow trinkets—my favorites being the ones that had both! I lucked out at the CTAC/Transadvocacy table, but that was just the beginning. A few other transgender activism groups were present all day, some of which I will certainly be highlighting in the near future. One, Transcending Boundaries, is dedicated to opening minds and eyes beyond labels; others, like the Twenty Club and Transitioning and Loving Life (TaLL), are trans support organizations. It’s arguably just as important to point out that many of the groups not exclusively dedicated to the trans community made it very clear that they were trans-friendly. I won’t publish the whole list here, but stay tuned—I have SO MUCH to share with you!

If you missed it, there’s hope—Boston Pride is this Saturday, and it might be bigger than Hartford’s (don’t tell them I said that). I can’t go, so I won’t be reporting on it directly, but if anyone wants to weigh in next week let me know! And, if you haven’t been to a pride event—get out there!