Worcester has now celebrated Gay Pride for 40 years! Pride started with really committed individuals in a loose alliance. In 1975, you had to be committed, as you were already considered an outcast, and you could be legally fired from your job and even be put in jail! We praise and honor the brave souls here in Worcester and across the country that put their lives on the line for social justice.

Now, the plight for most of us has improved dramatically. In July, the Equal Opportunity Commission ruled that LGBT people are protected from job discrimination by Title VII. It is our transgender community that has the fewest built-in protections, and we are working on making that right as well!

The month of September has become Pride Month for Worcester for a variety of reasons. We have such a large college community here that several years ago, it was decided we should celebrate Pride when the students return to the city. In addition, we know people from Worcester visit all the other regional Pride celebrations in Boston, Providence, Salem and Portland. Therefore, to be more inclusive, we have Pride at a time when people don’t have to choose between Prides!

The Pride 2015 theme is “Love Will Keep Us Together!” Here is a list of the events that the Pride Committee has planned for Pride Week. For tickets to events and more information, visit worcesterpride.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 2

7 p.m. – Worcester Pride Art Show, opening reception at Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St. The show is on exhibit through Oct. 6.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

7 p.m. – Pride Kick-Off Dinner at Bocado, 82 Winter St. Limited seating. $60 per person includes tapas dinner and wine. Tickets at worcesterpride.org. 21+ event.

Thursday, Sept. 10

3 p.m. – Pride Flag Raising at City Hall, Worcester City Hall Plaza, 455 Main St.

7 p.m. – Pride Flag Raising at Union Station, 2 Washington Square.

Friday, Sept. 11

7-10 p.m. – LGBTQI Pride Pageant at Fiddler’s Green, 19 Temple St. See contestants compete for the titles of Miss Gay Worcester, Ms. Worcester Pride and Mr. Worcester Pride. $15; tickets at worcesterpride.org. 21+ event.

10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. – After Pageant Parties with DJs at Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., and MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. No cover; $5 donation to Pride suggested. 21+ event.

Saturday, Sept. 12

11 a.m.-noon – Pride Parade, Institute Park down Main Street to City Hall. All ages welcome.

Noon-6 p.m. – Worcester Pride Festival, the Worcester Common (behind City Hall), 455 Main St. There will be a Woo Church children’s area, vendors, food, information and dozens of entertainers, including Glenn Steward. All ages welcome.

7 p.m.-2 a.m. – Pride Block Party at MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. This full-day block party will feature entertainment, food and raffles. $10 cover, $5 donation to Pride suggested. 21+ event.

7-10 p.m. – Youth Pride Dance at Wycked Java, 100 Water St. Ages 16-20.

10 p.m.-2 a.m. – Sweet Pride After Party at Sweet Kitchen & Bar, 72 Shrewsbury St. $5 donation to Pride suggested. 21+ event.

John Trobaugh is the president of Worcester Pride and a diversity project specialist in the Diversity and Inclusion Office of UMass Medical School. For more information, visit worcesterpride.org.

By John Trobaugh