Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship.
About 16 years ago, couple Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley came up with a slogan in their California living room: NOH8. Little did they know their peaceful protest against their state’s Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage, would evolve into a national campaign and land them at Winooski Pride last week.
“When Winooski Pride reached out to us, we were like, ‘Absolutely!’” Parshley said. “I grew up in New Hampshire, so I love coming back to this area.”
At events around the country, Bouska and Parshley snap pictures of people with duct tape on their mouths and “NOH8” written on their cheeks, aiming to highlight legislation that silences LGBTQ+ people and restricts their rights. In Winooski last Wednesday, Bouska felt honored to give people “a chance to stand in front of a camera and feel celebrated” and “remind them that they’re not alone” during a time when social media overflows with negativity.
Winooski Pride was brimming with music, food, vendor tables and interactive projects. Purple, a Prince tribute band, encouraged attendees to let loose and dance together. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers when the band’s frontman yelled: “I am Craig Mitchell. We are Purple. We are here for you. Are you ready to party tonight?”
While some guests jammed out to Prince songs, others explored the array of LGBTQ-owned businesses at the event.
Lux Amouretti, the face of ChubbySpaceCat Comics, told Community News Service it was his third time tabling at Winooski Pride, but he’s been in the queer-centric comics game for much longer.
Asked how long he’s been creating art, he laughed. “Seriously, I’d say ever since I was 16,” he said, “but, like, actually ever since I was 3.”
Amouretti loves going to Pride events. Not only does he get the opportunity to meet new people and businesses, but he also draws inspiration from strangers for his characters, who explore themes around diverse identities and relationships. He’ll “see people on the street” and realize, “‘Wow! This person is so interesting!’” and build a character from there.
Pride attendees created their own art as well, joining around the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont booth to paint canvases with their personal interpretations of freedom. Their paintings will be sewn together and displayed in Washington, D.C., next year.
Jess Venable-Novak, the organization’s advocacy and outreach manager, was at Winooski Pride for the first time. They were thrilled by just how many young folks were chatting at booths, taking stickers, joining in the art projects and dancing to the music.
“There’s been a lot of families and youth, which has been very cool, like lots of kids hanging out and lots of kids playing,” they said.
“There’s so many more people here than I thought there would be, especially for a Wednesday night. It’s been packed,” they said later.
Sade Bolger, a community engagement coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, was handing out pronoun pins, stickers with LGBTQ-themed puns and informational pamphlets at the group’s booth. The Planned Parenthood crew chatted with visitors over pizza, explaining what the organization is all about.
Bolger was at Burlington Pride just a few days before making their way to Winooski. Despite the rain, they said, the organization had a great time, even winning first place for best group marching band.
“We had, like, 30 people turn out. It was amazing,” they said. “The energy was great. Honestly, a little bad weather never stopped LGBTQ community before.”