On a beautiful and sunny day in downtown Burlington, members of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club joined members of the Williston Federated Church to walk together in the Pride Parade. Pride Vermont was formed in 1983 and the first major Pride parade in Vermont took place on June 25, 1983 in downtown Burlington.
The values of Pride Vermont are liberation, localism, sustainability and diversity. Both the Rotary and the Church embrace and celebrate these same values. These values are an important foundation for community building and solidarity.
We gathered in City Hall Park and the environment and atmosphere was full of joy and excitement. There was music being played and songs being sung. The parade goers were adorned with beautiful colors and decorations. It was impossible to keep a smile off your face. There was a huge crowd cheering us all on, from Main Street, all the way down to the waterfront. It was an honor to participate in this important event and to show our support for the 2STLGBQIA+ community.
To learn more about the Interfaith Center at UVM, go to: https://www.uvm.edu/ie/interfaithcenter