The Big Gay Dance Party in Union Square helped kick off Pride Month on Saturday. ~Photos by Michele J Martin

By SC

The Somerville Arts Council and the Department of Health and Human Services presented the Big Gay Dance Party to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month on Saturday, June 1.

The dance party, which took place in the heart of Union Square, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending around 8:30 p.m., was free and open to all ages.

The music was provided by DJ LUNAMARIPOSA who played a variety of songs and genres that could be enjoyed by everybody.

Two drag performances by Amanda Playwith and Severity Stone were wildly enjoyed by the audience who cheered for them during their performance.

The Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) had a stand in in place where they sold Queerville pride T-shirts at $20 dollars each.

There was a photo booth area and also many different stands that offered all kinds of events that were centered around creating safe spaces that are LGBTQ-inclusive.

Moreover, many local community organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community were present and seemed happy to be able to inform and give out pamphlets full of information about LGBTQ health, while offering free condoms and contact information for anyone who is interested in free STI and HIV testing.

Some of the organizations that were also part of this event were Respond, which works to end domestic violence and abuse; Fenway Health, which is dedicated to the giving quality health care and sex education to our LGBTQ community; and TheNetworkLaRed which is a survivor-led organization that strives to end partner abuse.

Other organizations that were present: Queer Inclusive Climbing Klub (QUICK), Trans Club of New England (TCNE) and Lite.

Gracie’s served ice-cream for all of the attendees, and many parents and kids happily ate more than one cone while dancing to kid-friendly music.

For more LGBTQ+ events around Somerville, you can check GLASS at www.jri.org/glass, which is an organization that offers many different activities during Pride Month, that promise to be fun and engaging for both LGBTQ+ youth and allies.