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SALEM — The City of Salem will be able to kick off its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month on June 3 in grand fashion — unlike last year’s experience.
There will be a flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. in Riley Plaza, and this year it’ll be open to anyone who wants to go. Last year, as the area was still in the midst of stringent COVID-19 protocols, that wasn’t possible. So, said Laura Assade, who is coordinating the event for the city, it was streamed live.
“This year,” said Assade, who is director of constituent services, Latino affairs coordinator and LGBTQ community liaison for Mayor Kimberley Driscoll’s office, “a lot of these restrictions have been lifted. At least 56 percent of our residents have received at least one dose. We’re having it outside, and there’s plenty of space (for social distancing).”
However, Assade said that if the distancing protocols cannot be followed, those who attend are encouraged to wear masks.
Advocating for LGBTQ causes is something near and dear to Assade. So much so that she lists her preferred pronouns (she/her) on her masthead.
“I have been an advocate of the LGBTQ community for a long time,” she said. “I’ve seen the injustices that have been made against it.
“For me, over time, and for the profession I’m in, listing my pronouns is a way to make people in the community know they’re safe in speaking to me, that they can get the services without any judgment. It’s out of respect for our members to let them know they don’t have to continue to feel fear. They can know that there are allies out there, such as me, who will not misgender them, and will acknowledge their identity.”
Assade said she uses her pronouns for another reason: to identify herself so that people she meets can do the same.
“It’s the easiest way for people to feel comfortable, and acknowledged, and valued members of all communities,” she said. “It’s appropriate to identify yourself. It can spark a conversation. That way, people know you’re a person who understands that you’re not classifying them as a gender based on how they look.”
Salem resident Isabella Strobing and her company, Mainvest, donated the flags for this year’s celebration. Also appearing at the ceremony is Salem resident and LGBTQ activist Gary “Gigi” Gill.
Steve Krause can be reached at skrause@itemlive.com.
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