SANFORD — Organizers are making plans for Sanford Pride Picnic, set for June 1 in Gowen Park.
“The Sanford Pride Picnic is a celebration of LGBTQ+ people and families that is free and open to everyone,” said Kael Parker of Project CommUnity, the local group that organized the first picnic a year ago and is doing so again this year, with support and donations from area businesses.
The event will be from 10 am. to 2 p.m.
Parker said the picnic will include food, music, speakers and live entertainment. More than a dozen local and statewide groups will be on hand with resources and information about their work.
Project CommUnity will serve 250 free picnic lunches. Frannie Peabody Center’s Prevention Program will offer free HIV and Hepatitis C testing and other services, and the Sanford Backpack program will provide a free food distribution. Everyone is encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags to take food home, Parker said.
“I play many roles in my day to day life, but my favorite and the one I am most proud of is being an ally,” said Lori Williams, who will be handing out food with the Backpack Program.
“This event is an important celebration for the LGBTQ+ community to feel support, acceptance, and pride in being who they are. I hope that those who support the LGBTQ+ community will not only speak up but show up and be visible, active, and prideful allies.”
Other participating organizations include Caring Unlimited, CoSI York County, Equality Maine, Journey House, the Lafayette Neighborhood Group, Maine Trans Net, Planned Parenthood, Portland Outright, Portland Pride, Sanford Veteran’s Center, Sanford High School Civil Rights Team, Sanford High School GTSA, Sanford Unitarian Universalist Church and Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine.
June 2019 marks 50 years since the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, recognized as one of the galvanizing moments of the early gay rights movements in the United States. LGBTQ people and allies around the world come together each year in June to honor the strength, resiliency, and accomplishments of this community.
Project CommUnity is a volunteer group that works to build a strong community focused on social justice through education, art, and service. For more information, email projectcommunitymaine@gmail.com, or call 450-0746. The event web page is at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/433343930767284/
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