By Julia Beauregard
Managing Editor
On Sunday, June 7, the town of Westwood showed its pride at this annual event honoring Pride Month. Pride Month celebrates the history, achievements, culture, and ongoing civil rights movement of the LGBTQ+ community. It is observed in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969, an event widely recognized as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The event was hosted by Inclusive Westwood in collaboration with the Westwood Young Women’s Club, First Parish of Westwood, Temple Beth David, and St. John’s Episcopal Church faith communities. The goal of the celebration was to honor and embrace the diversity within the Westwood community.
Originally moved to Thurston Middle School because of impending rain showers, the event was able to take place both indoors and outdoors thanks to unexpectedly sunny weather. Inside, attendees enjoyed a variety of crafts, including painting kindness rocks and making pride crowns, along with snacks and drinks. Outside, local organizations and vendors such as the Bellforge Arts Center and OUT MetroWest joined the festivities alongside a variety of entertainment acts.
The highlight of the event was the Drag Extravaganza. Miss Patti Bourree, a Boston-based drag artist, returned to Westwood Pride this year alongside fellow performers Willa Nina and Rickey Diamonds. The trio lit up the stage with energetic performances and impressive dance moves. At the end of their set, everyone was invited to dance together as Whitney Houston’s iconic hit played throughout the crowd.
There was laughter, crafting, treats, books provided by the Westwood Public Library, dancing, and plenty of fun throughout the day. Happy Pride to all.
