About Us
Westfield Pride, Inc. in Westfield, Massachusetts is a dedicated group of individuals working towards creating an inclusive, loving, and educated community for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies. Through our events and educational initiatives, we strive to foster a sense of belonging and celebrate the diversity that makes our community thrive.
Westfield Pride, Inc. in Westfield, Massachusetts is a dedicated group of individuals working towards creating an inclusive, loving, and educated community for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies. Through our events and educational initiatives, we strive to foster a sense of belonging and celebrate the diversity that makes our community thrive.
history
Westfield Pride, Inc. - Brief History
Pride in Westfield has existed informally ever since the first LGBTQIA person started living their life authentically here.
In 2019, Tina Gorman, Director of the Westfield Senior Center, worked with Dennis Akins to create an event to reach out to the underserved Senior LGBTQIA+ community. They called it 'Leap' Out to Breakfast, as it was a leap year. This packed event held in February 2020 saw the PRIDE flag displayed openly in a municipal building for the first time in Westfield's 350 year history.
After the success of the Senior Center event, some residents began to ask if there was a way to officially raise a PRIDE flag in the City of Westfield. Councilor at-large, Kristen Mello consulted with former Councilors Agma Sweeney and Mary O'Connell about the process. An ad-hoc committee, the Westfield Pride Alliance, was formed when Kathi Bradford, Christopher Clark, and Dennis Akins joined Kristen in formally requesting that Mayor Donald Humason grant them permission to fly the PRIDE flag for the first time ever at Westfield City Hall.
Mayor Humason approved their request and on June 26, 2020, the Progress Pride Flag was raised with the assistance of Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice John Greaney (Ret.). This date also marked the five year anniversary of Obergefell v Hodges, the landmark US Supreme Court decision ruling that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process clause and the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. .
Since then, our organization has grown in both membership and activities.
Today Westfield Pride, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an elected Board of Directors, regular monthly meetings (on the 1st Monday), and what is quickly becoming a tradition of annual PRIDE events and community celebrations.
At Westfield Pride, Inc. our Board, members, and volunteers are dedicated to building a community with PRIDE.
Pride in Westfield has existed informally ever since the first LGBTQIA person started living their life authentically here.
In 2019, Tina Gorman, Director of the Westfield Senior Center, worked with Dennis Akins to create an event to reach out to the underserved Senior LGBTQIA+ community. They called it 'Leap' Out to Breakfast, as it was a leap year. This packed event held in February 2020 saw the PRIDE flag displayed openly in a municipal building for the first time in Westfield's 350 year history.
After the success of the Senior Center event, some residents began to ask if there was a way to officially raise a PRIDE flag in the City of Westfield. Councilor at-large, Kristen Mello consulted with former Councilors Agma Sweeney and Mary O'Connell about the process. An ad-hoc committee, the Westfield Pride Alliance, was formed when Kathi Bradford, Christopher Clark, and Dennis Akins joined Kristen in formally requesting that Mayor Donald Humason grant them permission to fly the PRIDE flag for the first time ever at Westfield City Hall.
Mayor Humason approved their request and on June 26, 2020, the Progress Pride Flag was raised with the assistance of Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice John Greaney (Ret.). This date also marked the five year anniversary of Obergefell v Hodges, the landmark US Supreme Court decision ruling that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process clause and the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. .
Since then, our organization has grown in both membership and activities.
Today Westfield Pride, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an elected Board of Directors, regular monthly meetings (on the 1st Monday), and what is quickly becoming a tradition of annual PRIDE events and community celebrations.
At Westfield Pride, Inc. our Board, members, and volunteers are dedicated to building a community with PRIDE.
mission Statement
Westfield PRIDE Inc.’s mission is to celebrate, support and honor the LGBTQIA+ community.
(July 2023)
(July 2023)
Vision Statement
We envision a world in which all LGBTQIA+ people live safely and openly as their authentic selves.
We work to achieve this by:
(July 2023)
We work to achieve this by:
- Advocating for an inclusive and equitable community in Westfield
- Sharing information and resources that help enhance daily lives, and
- Providing education and awareness in an atmosphere of solidarity and celebration.
(July 2023)
corporate filing
Link to the corporate filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for Westfield Pride, Inc.
certificate of solicitation
