Out & About May: Let the Pride Celebrations Begin!Julie Walker

The build-up to Pride is real! With Pride around the corner, May’s calendar bubbles with anticipation for much celebration in June. But why wait? May is alive with celebration and connection across Central and Western Massachusetts. With beautiful weather and longer days in sight, May brings many opportunities for gathering with purpose, pride and joy!

Kick Things Off with Hampshire Pride

Get ready to dance in the streets on Saturday, May 3 at 11am when Hampshire Pride in Northampton begins with a parade from Sheldon Field, through the downtown Main Street area, to Crafts Avenue. The day’s celebrations continue with a vendor festival, and diverse, queer, family-friendly drag and stage entertainment until 6pm. The party continues with a bar crawl from 6pm to 2am. Check out hampshirepridema.com for all the tea!

Love Your Labels, Love Your Look

The LGBTQ+ youth non-profit Love Your Labels is serving up gender-expansive glam and community care. On May 3 at 1pm, don’t miss “Makeup is for Everyone” led by professional makeup artist Conor Caracciolo. The workshop is free for youth ages 13-18 and a sliding scale applies for adults 19+. Then on Sunday, May 4, Love Your Labels’ first Clothing Swap kicks off at 1pm. Celebrating community, sustainability, and self-expression, this inaugural treasure hunt for fashion lovers is about more than clearing out closets; it’s about building a community where clothing is not limited or defined by gender. Bonus: Glitter City Skank will be on-site with vintage gems for sale. Both events are on Eventbrite. Follow @love.your.labels on IG to stay current.

Family Time, Queer-Style

The Worcester Public Library invites LGBTQ+ families and allies to Rainbow Family Fun on Saturday, May 10 from 11am to Noon. Enjoy crafts, snacks and a cozy space to connect with other families in the community.

Adventure & Fun with Queer Scouts

Queer Scouts Worcester knows the power of the great outdoors, and good board games. On May 10 at 10:30am, they’re hiking a scenic 2.8-mile loop at Wachusett Mountain (Jack Frost and Harrington Trail). It’s free, with a suggested $5 donation. Then join the crew for their Board “Gayme” Night on May 13 upstairs at Whole Foods in Shrewsbury. Bring a game, bring a friend, or just bring yourself. Find them on Facebook for all the details.

Take it Outside

Come out and get out, outside that is, for Worcester Gay Professionals’ Monthly Networking Event Wednesday, May 14 at 6pm. The first outdoor networking social of the year will be held at Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, 79 Shrewsbury Street, beginning at 6pm. WGP’s monthly get togethers are a welcoming space for members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy a sip, a bite, and some conversation among friends old and new.

Drag Drama, Served Sweet

Mark your calendar for Friday, May 16 when Drag Gauntlet 6.3 returns to Electric Haze. This round’s theme? “The Little Debbie Ball”. Expect camp, comedy, and fierce competition starting at 10pm. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/dragshows.

Pride on the Common

On Sunday, May 18, Nashoba Valley Pride transforms Bolton Town Common into a celebration of art, identity, and delicious eats. From 1–5pm, browse local makers, savor food truck goodies, and enjoy dazzling performances from drag artists Darren Tashine, Diva D and Ryconic.

Whether you’re showing up in full face or hiking boots, or both, this May is all about being unapologetically you. Pride is calling. Are you coming?

Julie Walker (she/her), M.Ed., is a parent, school counselor, GSA Advisor, Board member of Love Your Labels, and the creator and manager of @queerworcester (IG).