Residents from Middletown, Roxbury, Walton and Harpersfield gathered Thursday, June 22 for a Pride event at The Nest on Orchard Street to share refreshments and discuss what Pride means locally. The event was sponsored by the Town of Middletown Democratic Committee (MDC).
“Our goal is to have a public celebration of Middletown’s history of diversity,” MDC Chair Lisa Tait explained. “We also want to show our party’s support during Pride Month and provide an opportunity for community members to do the same. We particularly want to start conversations - those began during event planning with our gay friends and neighbors advising us. Their feedback was invaluable. We learned a lot.”
Event organizer Linda Caswell welcomed attendees and introduced Middletown Councilmember Robin Williams, who read the town of Middletown’s Pride Month Resolution passed by the board in 2022. Williams gave background on how the resolution came about and explained that it stands in perpetuity.
The event also featured the following statement, voted on by MDC and available as a hard copy for attendees to sign onto in support:
“The Town of Middletown Democratic Party celebrates Middletown’s long history of acceptance of diversity and congratulates our LGBTQ+ Community on the celebration of Pride Month.”
Special guests Delaware County Democratic Committee members Eric Ball and Ginny Terry helped answer questions about the LGBTQ+ community, and facilitated an informal roundtable discussion about who the Pride Community is, what it means to be an ally and why it matters.
Ball, an elected Walton trustee, shared his experiences getting a Pride resolution passed in Walton. He also shared the challenges of trying to get something similar passed in the town of Walton. He also talked about Delaware County Pride (DCP) and the progress this relatively new group is making in providing local support.
Ginny Terry, DCDC officer and Chair of the Harpersfield Democratic Committee, is also an organizing member of the Otsego Pride Alliance (OPA). Terry updated attendees on the work OPA is doing and how allies are welcome to join their efforts.
Materials from DCP and OPA were available. Anyone who could not attend the event that wants to sign the MDC statement of support is encouraged to contact the Middletown Democratic Committee at midtwndem@gmail.com or call 845-586-3178. Additional information can be found at delawarecountypride.com and otsegopridealliance.org.
