One of the oldest and most popular destinations for the LGBTQ community will celebrate Pride and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
The Provincetown Business Guild (aka The Guild), one of the largest and oldest LGBTQ tourism marketing organizations in the country, presents Provincetown Pride, May 31–June 2, 2019, the second annual celebration of America’s most thriving LGBTQ community. Building upon last year’s success, 2019’s Pride weekend will celebrate one of the most recognized LGBTQ destinations in the world and honor the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots through a partnership with the Stonewall National Museum & Archives.
Global Rainbow, a large-scale public art light installation created by international artist Yvette Mattern, returns to Provincetown after its first-ever exhibition at a Pride event last year. Colored rays of laser light visible for over 20 miles will be projected toward the sky, simulating a natural rainbow arc that will envelop Provincetown each night of Pride weekend. The Global Rainbow Pride installation is co-presented by Seaman’s Bank.
“We are excited to cement Provincetown Pride in the annual global Pride calendar. Provincetown is the original place to be yourself, wear what you want to wear, and be with the one you love,” said Fred Latasa-Nicks, board president of the Provincetown Business Guild. “This originality and freedom of expression come together to create an energy unlike anywhere else—it’s palpable.”
“Celebrating Pride in Provincetown for the second year in a row is especially meaningful during such a milestone year for the LGBTQ community,” said Michael Kelley, Guild board member and chair of the Provincetown LGBTQ Welcome and Resource Center. “Honoring the 50th anniversary of Stonewall was integral to our 2019 Pride planning, as the history of Provincetown as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community would look very different today without the actions of the brave individuals at Stonewall. We wanted to bring these histories together in commemoration and celebration. We are fortunate to have forged a partnership with the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Ft. Lauderdale and that we have two Stonewall veterans that live in Provincetown and are willing to share their stories and perspectives on this historic anniversary.”
Pride weekend attendees can also learn an in-depth history of the Stonewall riots through the Stonewall Stroll, a series of large-scale descriptive posters, designed by the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, that will be installed at local businesses throughout Provincetown. The stroll will begin at the LGBTQ Welcome and Resource Center, where maps will be available to guide participants through the exhibit.
This Stonewall history stroll will be complemented by the “Stonewall Inn Witnesses to History” program on Saturday, June 1 at Pilgrim House. Two Stonewall veterans who were arrested at the riots, Mark Segal and David Velasco Bermudez, will tell their stories in a program moderated by Chris Rudisill, former executive director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. The Stonewall 50th anniversary programming is co-produced by the Provincetown LGBTQ Welcome and Resource Center.
The inaugural Sundays in the Park author series is an additional educational Pride program. The first installment will explore the history of the LGBTQ movement in Provincetown and Boston with Russ Lopez, author of the new book The Hub of the Gay Universe: An LGBTQ History of Boston, Provincetown, and Beyond. Co-presented with East End Books, this event includes a reading and book signing and will be held at the new park behind the bookstore.
“We are very excited to present this thought-provoking and informative programming during Provincetown Pride for both visitors and residents,” said Bob Sanborn, executive director of the Provincetown Business Guild. “We hope to inspire a new generation of leaders in Provincetown to strengthen the LGBTQ movement locally and globally, while educating people about our history and issues that are integral to the advancement of LGBTQ civil rights.”
Provincetown Pride kicks off on Friday, May 31, with the official Pride Ferry making two trips from Boston to Provincetown. Pride weekend will also include Pride Yoga, dance parties, the unofficial Pride Sashay to Tea, and the famous Boatslip Tea Dance.
Tickets for Provincetown Pride events range from free to $20, and are available at the door for all dance parties. A portion of all ticket proceeds benefits the Provincetown LGBTQ Welcome and Resource Center. For the full Pride schedule and to buy tickets, visit www.ptown.org/pride.