Provincetown has long been a queer hotspot, serving as host to LGBTQ community members for decades, but one thing it hasn’t had is an official pride event. This changes in 2018 with the town’s first pride event from the 1st to 3rd of June.
Presented by the Provincetown Business Guild, which brands itself as “one of the largest and oldest LGBTQ tourism marketing organizations in the country,” the event will center on Provincetown’s long history as an LGBTQ destination.
“As a vibrant LGBTQ community, The Guild felt it was most important to preserve, honor and commemorate all that our community has endured and achieved in the place we call home,” said Robin Lapidus, executive director of the Provincetown Business Guild in a statement sent to LGBTQ Nation.
Featured during the event will be a public light installation by artist Yvette Matten. The piece, called the Global Rainbow, will project colored lasers towards the sky, creating an arc of light resembling a rainbow.
The piece, which has been shown internationally, will be making its first pride event showing at the Provincetown event. This will be presented on the 1st and 2nd of June.
Provincetown will also get a new LGBTQ center in conjunction with pride. Dubbed “The Shack,” the location will provide resources and information for LGBTQ people in the city, as well as host exhibitions and other events.
“The Shack will become an asset, enhancing our position in the LGBTQ community around the world,” stated Michael Kelley, the chair for the opening of The Shack.
“We hope to inspire a new generation of leaders in Provincetown to strengthen the LGBTQ movement locally and globally while educating the public about issues and policy initiatives, and working with leaders to promote equality and justice for LGBTQ people.”
Provincetown is well known as an LGBTQ friendly mecca, hosting everything from Bear Week in July to the longest-running transgender gathering, Fantasia Fair, in October of every year.
“Because we are an iconic, award-winning LGBTQ destination, most people think of Provincetown as celebrating Pride all year long, but we felt strongly that we needed an official Pride celebration to ensure that we are a beacon of inspiration and a welcoming destination for all LGBTQ people world-wide, especially for younger generations,” said Lapidus.
A complete schedule of events at Provincetown Pride can be found on the Provincetown Business Guild website.
