by Allisence Y. Chang

A city resident works as a volunteer for one of the only programs in the country providing safety and assistance for survivors of gay men’s domestic violence and will be helping to celebrate Pride Week June 3-12.

“The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project is a state-wide organization that offers a hotline, support groups, workshops, and even a safe home environment for those who need a place to sleep,” said Elizabeth M. Cohen, resident of Somerville and volunteer at the Cambridge-based organization.

"Domestic violence is wrong, regardless of the relationship in which it occurs.  Unfortunately, social stigmas and narrow interpretations of domestic violence have led many gay men to feel that they do not have options when this crime occurs,” said State Rep. Paul C. Casey, D-Winchester.

“Thankfully, this organization provides critical resources and services to the victims of this heinous crime,” said.

Cohen, whose day job is executive director of rape crisis services of Greater Lowell, heard about the GMDVP through the presence of its name, she said. “One of the main events I volunteer at through the GMDVP is the Pride Brunch and Pride Parade every year.”

The Pride Brunch and Parade are only two of dozens of events put on by various Boston area organizations June 3 through 12. Pride Week or Boston Pride is headed by the Boston Gay Pride Committee. This 35th year anniversary theme is: “Pride in progress…What’s your fight?”

Pride Week celebrates the activism necessary to continue our community’s triumph over hatred and prejudice, according to the Boston Pride Web site.

“Pride is a time for all of us to celebrate our diversity. It is to recognize the contributions of GLBT citizens to the community at large, and to thank our allies who stand for equality,” said State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino Jr., D-Somerville.

"This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity throughout the Boston area.  This celebration is indeed exciting, for it recognizes the differences that we all have in the melting pot that is America,” said Casey.

Pride Week is a celebration for the GLBT community, the organization, and the work we have done, said Cohen. “It’s so much fun for all supporters and members of the community and celebrates just being out and being out in the community.”

“Pride Week is a special time because it’s a chance to connect with friends, have fun, and celebrate historic milestones such as the first anniversary of gay marriage,” said Dorie R. Clark, founder of OutSomerville and former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay’s liaison to the GLBT community.

“As a member of the Rainbow Coalition, Rep. Casey and his staff see Pride as an exciting event for the community and opportunity for people to share diverse lifestyles with others,” said Michael P. Auerbach, State Rep. Paul C. Casey, D-candidate for State Sen.’s chief-of-staff.

Some of Pride Week’s highlights include the Pride Brunch and Parade on June 11, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus Pride concert and Pride Week’s closing party at Avalon Nightclub on Landsdowne Street both on June 12, a special appearance by “Fab Five’s” Queer Eye for the Straight Guy stars, and the AIDS Walk.

“The AIDS Walk, our largest event, is an official event of Pride Week which we always participate. The entire week speaks of the progress and openness of Boston towards the GLBT community and its allies,” said Diego M. Sanchez, director of communications for the AIDS Action Committee.

The only Boston Pride event taking place in Somerville is the Dyke March after party at Toast Lounge in Union Square on Friday.

“Dyke Night Productions is hosting the Dyke March after party at Toast Lounge as a long time supporter of this community event. The Dyke March is an essential part of Pride and Dyke Night Productions and Toast Lounge are pleased to be a part of it,” said Kristen E. Porter, owner of Dyke Night Productions.

Despite hosting only one of Pride’s events actually in the city, “Somerville is known throughout the Boston area for its acceptance of gay and lesbian people, and I think that has made the community stronger and more vibrant,” said Clark.

“We take diversity and people’s civil rights very seriously in this community, which is why we are one of only four in the state to marry out-of-state gay couples,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

“We have a long tradition of celebrating Gay Pride in our city and, like Boston, we are planning to expand our celebration as well,” the mayor said.

Somerville raised its first Rainbow Flag, or Freedom Flag, in Davis Square in 2000 as a result of OutSomerville and continues to further its efforts in expanding its own celebrations in conjunction with those of Boston Pride.

Further information about Boston Pride and the GLBT community at large can be found at both bostonpride.com and EDGEBoston.com.