Pride Night

Haddon Twp. Expects Thousands for Second PRIDE

CELEBRATION

BY: MACKENZIE FITCHETT

Haddon Township and the Haddon Township Equity Initiative (HTEI) is looking forward to their second Pride event taking place from June 9 through the 11.

The three day event is welcoming the entire Haddon Township and surrounding communities to come out and celebrate all the things that make people unique while also educating attendees about LGBTQIA+ matters from healthcare to safe spaces.

“Pride was our way to show the community that we truly are an inclusive place for all and that if we all chip in as a community, we can accomplish really big things,” said Isis Williams, HTEI Board President.

The Initiative started last year after eight moms went to the Mayor of Haddon Township, Randall Teague, and expressed their wish for a more inclusive environment where people of all walks of life could feel safe and accepted. Teague wholeheartedly agreed and helped them create the first Pride event in the summer of 2021.

“We were really able to tap into the community and the local business owners, the school groups and they were all very supportive of having an event in town that was reflective of inclusivity,” said Williams.

Much like last year’s event, this year will offer multiple days of celebration and education and the event planners are expecting an even larger crowd from the 7,000 they welcomed last year.

The event starts on June 9 with an incredible parade starting at Haddon Ave from Crystal Lake Ave to Strawbridge Ave. Like last year, people can join in the parade and can be seen dancing in the streets embracing their uniqueness. The parade ends at Haddon Square with LGBTQIA+ friendly music, entertainment, dancing, food and drinks. According to HTEI Board Member, Philip ‘Pip’ Haxby-Thompson, last year the parade brought together many LGBTQIA+ members of the community who expressed how this was the first time they had felt seen, heard and embraced.

“Unfortunately, there still is a lot of bigotry and a lot of prejudice and people want to feel safe and they want to feel seen,” said Haxby-Thompson. “That’s really what we try to highlight within Haddon Township and the surrounding communities. We do welcome people from all walks of life.”

On June 10, the celebration continues with Pride and Progress Community Night sponsored by JFK Living. This event helps to bring education into the fun with informaplease see PRIDE, page 9

PRIDE continued from page 8 tion tables relating to local organizations and nonprofits as well as a DJ and a Drag Queen Lip Sync Battle. The last day of the event will be the Pride Fest taking place at the SoHo Arts Building. The day starts at noon and will welcome local arts and vendors as well as a performance by Drag Queen Story Hour, live music, food trucks and other fun activities for all ages.

“Not only is it inclusive of the community but it is family focused so last year there were lots of children and elderly people. The age range was pretty expansive and people came from near and far to participate,” said Williams.

For more information about the event visit https://www.htpride.com/home. ■