GREENFIELD — In a word, joy.
Or, using two words to be more precise, unbridled jubilation.
With rainbows, music, laughter and dancing, hundreds of people noisily celebrated Pride Month in Franklin County during a parade here that ended with a rally at Energy Park.
With participants from Ashfield to Turners Falls, hundreds celebrated the freedom to live safely and openly, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Organized by Franklin County Pride Committee, the all-volunteer event draws support from the LGBTQIA community, their friends and supporters and area businesses.
Speakers at the rally included state Sen. Jo Comerford, a Democrat who serves towns and cities in Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester counties.
“I want you to know I’m delighted that we’re in the middle of a Pride Month where we’re living out loud, where we’re affirming the worth and dignity of everyone in our community,” she said.
She noted that “generations before us” fought for the rights that exist today. But she also gave a shout-out to the activists and advocates of today.
“Today, there’s a Pride flag flying over the Massachusetts Statehouse. And the House speaker and the Senate president spoke at the raising.” she told a cheering crowd. “That didn’t happen by accident. That happened because of you. That happened because of decades of organizing and advocacy around the right to marry, around the right to same-sex adoption that my wife and I had when we adopted two kids, and the right to equitable, acceptable and affordable health care.”
Music and entertainment was provided by the Raging Grannies, the Offbeat Drummers and the Carrie Ferguson Band.