Pride Picnic 2025
Photo credit: Deborah Lannon Photography
What is Pride Month?
Pride Month is an entire month (June) dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, and support for LGBTQ+ rights. It is part political activism, and part celebration of all the LGBTQ+ community has achieved over the years.
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Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. At that time, police raids on bars catering to LGBTQ+ patrons were common, but that night, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. While historical accounts of the night vary, the violent response ignited a national firestorm of activism that brought new visibility to the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality. As a result, many Pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact of LGBTQ+ people locally and around the world.
About the HW Pride Picnic: june 8, 2025 - Noon to 4pm
The HW Pride Picnic is a family-friendly event for all ages created by the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition (HWHRC) to celebrate Pride month and create a safe space to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. The first HW Pride Picnic was held in June 2021 and has received over 400 attendees annually.
This year's event will have live music, arts & crafts activities, kite-making, lawn games, a book walk hosted by the HW Library, spaces to talk with other LGBTQ+ folks and allies, Drag 101 makeup tutorials, and opportunities for further learning. We will have limited food vendors, or you can bring your own picnic lunch. There will also be a vendor market with booths for businesses and nonprofit organizations that are LGBTQ+ owned, operated, or allied.
The 2025 Pride Picnic will be held at Patton Homestead (650 Asbury St, South Hamilton, MA) on Sunday, June 8 from 12-4pm.
new this year: Dr. Viola Voilà
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Viola Voilà to this year's Pride Picnic! Dr. Voilà holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance and will perform a live musical set as well as offer instructional sessions in Drag Makeup 101. Based right here on the North Shore, Dr. Voilà (aka Dr. Kasey Calebaugh) also teaches at the Suzuki School of Newton and performs regularly throughout New England and worldwide.
returning this year: discussion forums
The Pride Picnic provides a great opportunity for people to come together to share experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community and those that support them. This year we are thrilled to host a series of moderated discussion forums on the topics below:
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Exploring Gender Identity
Mental Health & LGBTQ+ Communities
Queer Caregivers
Allyship & Activism 101
returning this year: PROJECT ADVENTURE
We are thrilled to welcome Project Adventure back again this year to host a variety of fun-filled activities for participants of all ages. Founded in 1971, Project Adventure is an industry leader in adventure-based learning experiences and tools to promote growth in individuals, schools, healthy communities, and effective organizations.
food trucks
The event is a Picnic, so attendees are more than welcome to BYO lunch and find a comfy spot on the lawn. However, if you don't feel like packing a basket (or just want a treat), there will also be food available for purchase from the vendors below.​​​​
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live music​​
Gigi and the Noize is a fun, energetic Northshore-based band that plays all your favorite classic rock songs mixed with a little bit of country and blues! Lead singer, Gigi Harlamert and “the Noize” -- Jeff Tanzer,Tom Hazelton, Steve Geyer, and Dan Dupuis are excited and honored to be a part of the HW Pride Picnic for the 2nd year!
The In-Betweeners light up the stage with a high-energy blast of the songs you love and the ones you forgot you loved. From 80s anthems to today’s hits, they bring a vibe that’s all about dancing, singing, and celebrating. With special guests Rachel Clayton and Brenda Sweeney-White joining in the fun, get ready for a bigger sound, bigger heart, bigger party.
2025 vendors: spaces still available - FrEE to register
2025 Sponsors: we need your support
Flagship Sponsors:
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Rainbow Sponsors:
community partners & Supporters:​
How to get involved
Volunteer
We had around 400 attendees last year and are expecting even more this year, so we need your help to make sure the event runs smoothly! We have shifts available for setup, cleanup, and during the event. Refreshments are provided for volunteers, and break and shift times are flexible. High school student volunteers will receive graduation credit for their time!
donate
Donations enable us to make this event happen by funding things like supplies for fun activities and less glamorous things like rental fees or porta potties. We hope that 2025's Pride Picnic will be even bigger and better than last year, and we need your financial support to make that happen. Any money you donate will help us continue hosting events, creating educational opportunities, and working to build a more equitable society. You can specify money to go into general funds or Pride-specific activities. Any amount helps, so please consider making a donation!
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Please note the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization (EIN 86-1966109). In accordance with state and federal law, your donation is not tax-deductible.
WHY PRIDE MATTERS
LGBTQ+ people are under a coordinated attack at the federal level and in state legislatures across the country, with a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills on track to be considered in 2025.
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Many of these discriminatory bills target transgender kids, including dozens upon dozens of bills that try to ban trans kids from playing sports or receiving life-saving health care. These bills are dangerous and discriminatory. The Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13–24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the U.S.
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LGBTQ+ and non-binary people are our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends. As LGBTQ+ people and allies, we have a responsibility to fight for EVERYONE in our movement. We all deserve to be seen, to be respected, and to have our unique and diverse identities recognized and celebrated.
see you on june 8!
Questions or suggestions? Email info@hwhumanrights.org