Photo: Jay Willett / WBZ NewsRadio
PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Rain or shine, Pride events in Provincetown were in full force for the opening weekend of June. This marked the sixth annual Pride from the Provincetown Business Guild, but Executive Director Stephan Hengst tells me that Pride has been around much longer than that.
"Every day is Pride in Provincetown, we're really excited that everyone can come here and be themselves but Pride events, marches, rallies have been happening for more than 50 years now. It's important to share that information because we know we're not the first ones to do this, and frankly, the community has been here longer than anyone can know," Hengst said.
Among the many events, the PBG offered a Tea Dance, Dune Tours, and a Pride Rally at Town Hall with a story hour with Carnival Grand Marshal Monica Moore. Hengst tells me all of this comes at a crucial time for the LGBTQ community.
"Even in Massachusetts right now there are municipalities that are banning the rainbow flag. So now is more important than ever before that we come together as a community to show our solidarity and to make our voice heard. Pride events and rallies like the one here in Provincetown are the way that we make that happen," Hengst said.
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Walking along Provincetown's Commercial Street I found plenty to do even in the drizzle, starting with shows at the Crown starring Tina Burner from RuPaul's Drag Race for "Burner Brunch Saturdays." The entertainment was full of jokes, impressive singing renditions, and impersonations of Carole Baskin from Netlix's hit show "Tiger King."
A bit further down the road I ran into artists from the Art Gaysel gallery at Crew's Quarters, which houses creatives from all over the country to display their craftsmanship. One of the artists, Cameron Barker showed me his work inspired by the human body.
"All my work looks into the body, into touch, especially how queer people can interact in a way that doesn't necessarily feel objectified or like there's any shame— there's this idea that we're able to exist and to touch for pleasure, joy, and validity," Barker said.
WBZ's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.
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