Melrose Pride Night Something To Be Proud Of: Photos, Video

MELROSE, MA — The first inaugural Melrose Pride night was something to be proud of.

Community members and current and former leaders and officials gathered at Beebe Estate for a night of education, conversation, and most importantly celebration. The event was put on by the Human Rights Commission.

"Where the community has lately been the target of increased attacks and its protections whittled away bit by bit, it’s all the more incumbent on us to expand the celebration of Pride, invite greater conversation and community building, and work to hold the line," Adam LaFrance, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, told Patch.

Beyond the pizza, cookies, music (never enough Cher!), and art show, personal dialogue was a major part of the night.

"Just getting out there and talking. Hearing people's stories, sharing people's stories," LaFrance said. "I'm always in favor of more conversation, more talking. We can't solve our kitchen table issues as a community if we aren't at the table."

One of the topics touched on was regarding what is expected to be the most tightly contested ballot question come November. Voters will decide whether to repeal the state's anti-discrimination law for transgender rights. Recent polls have had around 49-52 percent of voters saying they would keep the law, which bans discrimination against transgender people in public places. It also - perhaps most controversially - allows transgender people to use bathrooms that coincide with their gender identity.

"We must act, we must rise up," said School Committee member Liz DeSelm, who is one of the first openly transgender people elected to public office in Massachusetts. "I ask you to vote to affirm transgender protections this November."

You can watch the majority of the speaking portion in the video below. Scroll down farther to see photos of the event.

Main photo (left to right): Liz DeSelm, Patrick Guerriero, Adam LaFrance, Andrea Razi-Thomas, and Mimi Lemay.

Photos, video by Mike Carraggi, Patch