PAWS FOR PRIDE: Unleash the preening pups. |
Now that June has sauntered into town, you could nestle into your summertime routine — weekend brunches with the significant other, Starbucks-fueled strolls along the Charles, sunbathing in the park, and tossing Frisbees around. Or, you could dress your dog in pooch couture, rub elbows with Red Sox wives, and dance your heart out at a fun-in-the-sun, adrenaline-pumping block party, all while standing proud. Boston's Pride Week is here, it's queer, and we're getting used to it.
A collection of events and parties designed to promote awareness and tolerance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Pride Week is once again taking Boston by storm, beginning with a ceremonial flag raising in City Hall Plaza on Friday, June 1, at noon, and continuing through Sunday, June 10. The week, sponsored by the Boston Pride Committee, celebrates all things LGBT with a roster of activities that are sure to please families, culture vultures, and party animals alike.
Faneuil Hall sets the Saturday scene for fun in the sun (or, if the weather's crappy, in the rain), beginning with the first annual Paws for Pridecostumed-dog contest and canine celebrity fashion show. Bring your four-legged fashion plates down to strut their stuff for the chance to win prizes from host Randy Price (of 7News fame). No dog? No problem; you can still enjoy the furry festivities. Watch as the pampered pets of local celebs — including Tiffany Ortiz (wife of Big Papi David) and Ashley Papelbon (wife of superstar closing pitcher Jonathan) — model doggie fashions by local student designers.
"I'm so excited about Paws for Pride!" says Keri Aulita, vice-president of the Boston Pride Board of Directors and an active member of the LGBT community. "This year, we've got a lot of collaboration happening with other groups in the city. It gives us a more diverse lineup for the week. Not everyone loves to party; people like book signings, political forums. And, of course, Idol."
Pride Idol, that is. Another relatively new event to the Pride Week celebrations, this is Boston's LGBT version of America's favorite reality/game/talent/music show thingy. Wannabe rock and pop stars have already participated in a series of city-wide auditions, and 10 finalists will compete on Wednesday, June 5, at the Back Bay Grand. Pride Idol is in its fifth year, and, like its inspiration, is a wildly popular, toe-tapping good time. Lucky for Bostonians, there's no Simon Cowell on hand to break everyone's spirit.
The Boston Pride Committee has also added a plethora of cultural events to this year's Pride Week. A number of LGBT authors will be making appearances at the Downtown Crossing Borders Bookstore to discuss and sign copies of their works. The committee worked in conjunction with the Downtown Crossing Association for the very first time this year, and is happy to have joined forces in order to supplement Pride Week with events that expand the appeal of Pride Week to people whose tastes run toward the academic.
"We want to represent all different aspects of the community, and it's all gay, queer, and transgender authors doing book signings," says Aulita. "This year, we're really expressing our cultural history, our political movement." Additional, non-party events include interfaith religious services, an LGBT Veteran's Forum, and a Holocaust Commemorationservice.
