For more than 20 years a pride march has been held in New Paltz, a powerful echo of the many same-sex weddings that were held there in 2003, in contravention of state law at the time. The event was launched by the same group of activists who worked to create the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center in Kingston. This year, with the New Paltz march being organized through the New Paltz Pride Coalition, staff and volunteers at the community center are kicking off a Kingston march next week. Any fears that having another march that close by might cut into participation in New Paltz dissolved as surely as Saturday’s rain clouds.
There are in fact many marches marking pride month in the area: Kingston on June 7, June 8 in Woodstock, and over in Poughkeepsie on June 14, among others. Ensuring no nearby date conflicts took a fair amount of negotiation, and left the New Paltz march with pride of place on the first day of the month, as those weddings 22 years ago are widely understood as kick-starting the movement here.
Many of those who came out chose to join in the procession down Main Street, rather than watching from the sidelines. “It’s a march, not a parade,” said Fred Mayo, one of the original organizers, because this is a protest. Most in attendance understood the assignment: they were there to march.
New Paltz resident Amy Little is “proud of many things, including being a lesbian,” and said that marching this year was about civil rights for all. “I marched with Amnesty International, defending rights to participate in a free democracy. Silence equals death.”
Jen Metzger, who currently is the county executive, said that it’s important to participate in this celebration because “joy builds resilience. We stand together united for the rights of every resident to be their authentic selves, and express themselves freely.”
This was the fifth march for Richard Heyl de Ortiz, who is executive director at the Kingston center, and thus is heavily involved with the new Kingston march. “We come together to celebrate and to find strength in community,” Heyl de Ortiz said, in part by supporting all the area marches this month.
“There’s power in numbers,” said Jaxon Wesdorp, who was there to support friends, community and drag moms.
Davis Sprague, who’s been to marches for “at least ten years,” said that this is an important local event “because we need to recognize each other and be recognized.”
Al has identified as queer “for most of my life,” and believes that showing up is essential to building a sense of community. In the current political climate, Al doesn’t feel safe in many places, having to “look both ways on the street” and not leave home unarmed. “I just want a happy life and I’m advocating for that. Love is love.”
Blair Back also has been out a similar length of time, from the age of 13 back in 2009. Back is a longtime drag performer at area bars and appreciates the welcoming vibe of New Paltz, as well as its inclusive history.
Sporting rainbow wings on the arm of Abe, who was wingless, Robin reported that the pair were in attendance “to make New Paltz even more queer” and spend time with chosen family. This year brings a stronger sense of being connected than in the past, Robin said.
Shilling for the Mid-Hudson Misfits roller derby team was Amberly Campbell, who said that June is a big recruitment time in the sport. Roller derby is a “sport for every body,” the Campbell said that it’s possible to excel in it “no matter your body type.” It’s wholly inclusive at all age levels, said Campbell.
The march’s grand marshal, Jay Blotcher, was alongside Mayo and others who put together the first one in New Paltz in 2005, in just nine weeks. Blotcher was quite direct in addressing the need for continuing marches. “Pushing back with pride marches is the best response to a dictatorial government. These are people who refuse to hide in the shadows and kowtow to lies.” During remarks right after march, Blotcher said, “Some of you may be thinking, ‘I’m not cut out for that activist stuff. I don’t like to rock the boat.’ Guess what: by being here today, you’re all activists. Congratulations.”
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