This is Worcester Pride’s 41st year! The LGBTQ festivities have been celebrated in a variety of forms throughout the years. From an underground club to a gay union (card included!) to now, when we have the most protections ever. Worcester celebrates Pride “off cycle” to allow our vibrant college community to participate. This year, we celebrate with a full week of activities, with more to be announced at worcesterpride.com.

Sept. 4
6-8 p.m. Pride Art Show Reception at Electric Haze
Join Worcester Pride as we kick off a month-long Pride Art Show at Electric Haze with a reception open to the public.

Sept. 7
6-10 p.m. Pride Kick-Off Dinner at The Citizen
Cocktails 6-7 p.m./Dinner 7-10 p.m. Reserved seating at $75 per person. Ticket includes complimentary cocktail punch and appetizers prior to dinner.

Sept. 8
3-4 p.m. Pride Flag Raising at City Hall Union Station
Parade grand marshals, with returning grand marshals, city officials, flag and lights.

4:30-6 p.m. Reception at Lock 50
Find your way over to Lock 50, 50 Water St., Worcester, for some complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Then, get on the free shuttle bus to the Burns Bridge Lighting Ceremony at Regatta Point. When it’s over, ride on back to Lock 50.

7-8 p.m. Pride Lights Up the Burns Bridge
Join Worcester Pride for this historic event as Pride lights up the Burns Bridge over Lake Quinsigamond in rainbow colors. Free shuttle bus from Lock 50 restaurant to Regatta Point Park with return to Lock 50.

Sept. 9
7-10 p.m. LGBTQ Pride Pageant at Fiddler’s Green
Elect Miss Gay Worcester (drag), Mr. Worcester Pride and Ms. Worcester Pride. Only 200 seats available at $15 each.

Sept. 10 – Worcester Pride Celebration Day
11 a.m.-noon Pride Parade
Institute Park down Main Street to City Hall.

Noon-5 p.m. Pride Festival on the Common
Entertainment, food, vendors.

7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Pride Block Party at MB Lounge
21+, cover charge.

7-10 p.m. Youth Pride Dance at the YWCA
For under age 21.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. Pride After Party at Electric Haze

Sept. 11
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Worcester Pride “Recovery Brunch” at Lock 50
Join Worcester Pride for a delicious brunch (and perhaps a cocktail or two) and share a story about Pride. Cost is $30 per person for buffet.

This month you can also catch voice actor and audiobook narrator Greg Tremblay, who narrates gay romance novels, at Annie’s Book Stop on James Street from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 17.

The Celebrating Courage Awards and Gala, a fundraiser to support LGBT asylum-seekers in Worcester, will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Union Station. For more information, visit lgbtasylum.org.

Let us know about your events by emailing John@JohnArt.com.

Get Involved:

If you’re new on campus and a member of the LGBTQ+ community or its allies, Worcester has many ways to get involved. Check out these organizations and all of the amazing programs they offer!

AIDS Project Worcester
85 Green St., Worcester • 508-755-3773 • info@aidsprojectworcester.org • aidsprojectworcester.org

SWAGLY
For LGBTQ+ youth aged 12-22, Supporters of Worcester Area Youth (SWAGLY) focuses on HIV and STDs, drug/alcohol abuse and domestic violence • 85 Green St., Worcester • 508-755-3773, ext. 42 • swagly@aidsprojectworcester.org • aidsprojectworcester.org

Airspray! Queer Dance Party
Third Friday • Electric Haze •  26 Millbury St., Worcester • facebook.com/airspraywstr

Central Mass LGBT and Friends Breakfast Club
Every other week • Olde Post Office Pub • 1 Ray St., North Grafton • facebook.com/groups/MassLgbtbreakfastclub/

Central Mass LGBTQ MeetUp
A social networking medium for the 500-plus member Meetup.com group • meetup.com/LGBTFUN-227 • facebook.com/LGBTMeetupforCentralMA

LGBT Asylum Task Force
A community-based organization dedicated to LGBT individuals who are seeking asylum or refuge in the United States •  Hadwen Park Church • 6 Clover St., Worcester • info@lgbtasylum.org • lgbtasylum.org

Worcester Pride
info@worcesterpride.org • worcesterpride.org

Rainbow Readers
Adult and youth book group • Annie’ Book Stop • 65 James St., Worcester • RainbowReadersMass@gmail.com

Safe Homes
Peer-led, adult-advised weekly LGBTQ support group and drop-in center for ages 14-23 • 508-755-0333, ext: 1142 • laura.farnsworth@thebridgecm.org • safehomesma.org

By John Trobaugh