Sudbury 2023 Family Pride Day Draws Over 1,000: Organizers

SUDBURY, MA — The 2023 Family Pride Day in Sudbury was a success, drawing over 1,000 people and raising thousands for OUT MetroWest, a major LGBTQ+ youth nonprofit in the area.

Here's more from the Sudbury Cooperative Preschool:

The second annual Family Pride Day event on June 11 saw over 1,000 participants in attendance and raised over $2,000 for Out MetroWest, a LGBTQIA+ youth group in the MetroWest area. With over 40 organizations participating and a main stage with rotating performances, the event provided a fun, family-friendly environment for people of all ages to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and individuality.

“The incredible turnout at this year’s event demonstrates the desire for our community to come together and stand for the protection of everyone’s right to be unapologetically themselves. Family Pride Day embodies the movement towards a world where respect, equity, and justice can be at the core of our community values” said Britta Rieser, Director of the Sudbury Cooperative Preschool.

In addition to activities such as face paint, hair spray, crafting, bubbles, a diverse book fair and bouncy house, Family Pride Day featured multiple food trucks, and offerings for all ages. The main stage featured a fun, energetic, and dynamic line up with performances by musicians, story tellers, authors, and dance troops. The Center for Action held rotating workshops for adults on topics such as bystander intervention and owning one’s life story, as well as offering resources for further allyship. Beth El’s Combating AntiSemitism Taskforce (CAST) and Sudbury for Racial and Social Justice (S4RSJ) joined forces to celebrate InterDependence Day and Race Amity Day at Family Pride Day.

“There are many groups in town doing DEI work, each with a particular focus. We believe we are stronger when we are aware of what others are doing, and work and act together” said Sue Better, representing CAST and S4SRJ.

Family Pride Day was proud to welcome state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Sudbury, as the featured speaker for the event. Family Pride Day will be held again next year in an effort to continue building a space where people feel supported and safe.