Pride Picnic 2023
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.
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
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 event will have live music, arts & crafts activities, lawn games, spaces to talk with other LGBTQ+ folks and allies, and opportunities for further learning. We will have 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 2023 Pride Picnic will be held at Patton Homestead (650 Asbury St, South Hamilton, MA) on Sunday, June 11 from 12-4pm.
Thank you 2023 Sponsors!
Flagship Sponsors:
Rainbow Sponsors:
community supporters & in-kind Sponsors:
2023 vendors:
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), we are pleased to welcome these food trucks as well!
live music
2:00pm - 4:00pm
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!
contribute supplies
There are a variety of items we need for the picnic -- from yard games, photo booth props, or a pop up tent, to donations of water and snacks for our hard-working volunteers. You can drop of items on June 11 at Patton Homestead from 9-10am, or you can coordinate a different drop off time and location with us.
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 2023'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!
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 in state legislatures across the country, with a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills on track to be considered in 2023.
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.
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 11!
Questions or suggestions? Email info@hwhumanrights.org