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KNOWN THREAT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT’S THE FIRST WEEKEND OF PRIDE MONTH. AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION ARE hosting FESTIVALS, PARADES, AND ALL TYPES OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE. NBC5 STEPHEN BIDDIX takes us to SOME OF THOSE FESTIVITIES to show HOW THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE IS KICKING OFF THIS SPECIAL MONTH. 01;35;54;13- 01;35;57;01 Kris Smith Thyme, Founder Essex Pride <THIS IS AMAZING, BETTER THEN WE EVER COULD’VE EXPECTED.> ON SATURDAY COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS VERMONT CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH AND THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. But this event in ESSEX JUNCTION is the first of its kind. <ROPE CUTTING AND CHEERS> The first EVER Essex Pride Festival 01;35;41;24- 01;35;54;17 kris <JUST SO STOKED THAT PEOPLE TURNED OUT WE DIDN’T QUITE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE GOING TO TURN OUT ITS JUST REALLY BEEN A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA , WORD OF MOUTH AND THE ESSEX COMMUNITY REALLY JUST SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT TO SUPPORT LGBTQIA+ LIVES.> <PARADE> AT THE FESTIVAL DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR. 01;37;39;10- 01;37;51;02 Deja Murray, Essex pride Board Member <IT IS ALSO ABOUT INCLUSIVITY AND VISIBILITY LETTING OUR TOWN ALL OF THE STUDENTS ALL OF THE YOUTH KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO SUPPORT THEM AND ARE GOING TO COME OUT FOR THEM.> A BIT FARTHER SOUTH IN MONTPELIER… HUNDREDS ON THE STATE HOUSE LAWN HOSTING THEIR OWN FESTIVAL. 02;54;34;15- 02;54;45;17 Elaine Ball, Event organizer <SO MONTPELIER PRIDE IS LASTING ABOUT A WEEK AND IT STARTED A COUPLE DAYS AGO WITH A FLAG RAISING AT CITY HALL THERE’S OTHER EVENTS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK BUT THIS IS THE MAIN DAY THE FESTIVAL.> FOR ONE MOM IN PARTICULAR AT THE FESTIVAL THIS IS AN ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT CELEBRATION AND MONTH. 03;03;28;28- 03;03;43;24 Korinne Harvey, Corinth Resident <I’VE GOT A BUNCH OF CHILDREN WITH ME I’VE GOT 3 OF MY OWN AND 3 OF MY FRIENDS THAT ALL IDENTIFY OR SUPPORT AND ARE ALLIES TO AND I THINK ITS JUST REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE YOUTH TO FEEL LOVED AND TO SEE THIS NORMAL.> HARVEY ALSO SAYS THE INCREASE IN AWARENESS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THIS MONTH IS CRUCIAL. 03;04;06;02- 03;04;21;11 harvey <ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND AND HAVEN’T REALLY FELT SAFE OR COMFORTABLE SO THE MORE THAT WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND NORMALIZE LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE ITS CRI

The Green Mountain State celebrates start of Pride Month

On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.

On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival. “We’re just so stoked that people turned out, we didn’t quite know how many people were going to turn out. It’s just really just been promoted on social media, word of mouth and the Essex community really just showed up and showed out to support LGBTQIA+ lives,” said Kris Smith Thyme, the founder of Essex Pride. At the festival, you could find a parade, live music, local vendors, and a drag queen story hour. “It is also about inclusivity and visibility, letting our town, the students, all of the youth know that there are people here who support them and are going to come out for them,” said Deja Murray, board member of Essex Pride. A bit farther south in Montpelier, hundreds gathered on the state house lawn hosting their own festival. “Montpelier Pride is lasting about a week and it started a couple days ago with a flag raising at city hall, there’s other events spread throughout the week but this is the main day of the festival,” said Elaine Bell, an event organizer. For one mother in particular at the festival, this is an especially important celebration and month. “I’ve got a bunch of children with me. I’ve got three of my own and three of my friends that all identify or support and are allies. To me, I think it’s just really important for the youth to feel loved,” said Korinne Harvey, a Corinth resident. Harvey also says the increase in awareness for the community and the month is crucial.”These people have always been around and haven’t really felt safe or comfortable, so the more that we can be supportive of this community and normalize love and acceptance it’s critical now more than ever,” Harvey said.

ESSEX, Vt. —

On Saturday, communities all across Vermont celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Essex Junction, Essex Pride hosted its first-ever Essex Pride Festival.

“We’re just so stoked that people turned out, we didn’t quite know how many people were going to turn out. It’s just really just been promoted on social media, word of mouth and the Essex community really just showed up and showed out to support LGBTQIA+ lives,” said Kris Smith Thyme, the founder of Essex Pride.

At the festival, you could find a parade, live music, local vendors, and a drag queen story hour.

“It is also about inclusivity and visibility, letting our town, the students, all of the youth know that there are people here who support them and are going to come out for them,” said Deja Murray, board member of Essex Pride.

A bit farther south in Montpelier, hundreds gathered on the state house lawn hosting their own festival.

“Montpelier Pride is lasting about a week and it started a couple days ago with a flag raising at city hall, there’s other events spread throughout the week but this is the main day of the festival,” said Elaine Bell, an event organizer.

For one mother in particular at the festival, this is an especially important celebration and month.

“I’ve got a bunch of children with me. I’ve got three of my own and three of my friends that all identify or support and are allies. To me, I think it’s just really important for the youth to feel loved,” said Korinne Harvey, a Corinth resident.

Harvey also says the increase in awareness for the community and the month is crucial.

“These people have always been around and haven’t really felt safe or comfortable, so the more that we can be supportive of this community and normalize love and acceptance it’s critical now more than ever,” Harvey said.