Boston Pride Announces MC for the 2016 Boston Pride Festival: Aydian Ethan Dowling

Boston Pride announced today that Aydian Ethan Dowling is the MC for the 2016 Boston Pride Festival on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Boston’s City Hall Plaza. Dowling is an FTM (female to male) transgender activist from Long Island, New York who documented his own transition on YouTube to use as a support mechanism for others who are also looking to transition. In a video recorded for Boston Pride, Dowling says that he is thrilled to be part of the festival: Aydian Ethan Dowling video

“We are excited to have Aydian Ethan Dowling as the MC of our big event this year,” said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. “His personal story highlights the purpose and mission of Boston Pride – to serve as voice to promote love, equality, support change and embrace diversity – and will be a perfect fit to this year’s celebration and with our theme ‘Solidarity Through Pride’.” The theme encourages the LGBT community to see that there are multiple struggles in a wide range of communities, but are all related and intertwined

In 2011, Aydian was chosen to have his story showcased on the Emmy Nominated It Gets Better Project on MTV where he and his now wife, Jenilee, spoke about the challenges transgender couples face when planning to wed. In 2015 he was featured on the November 2015 Special Edition Men’s Health Cover as the lead contender in their search for the “Ultimate Men’s Health Guy,” which gained Aydian world-wide recognition. Also in 2015, Aydian was first invited on “The Ellen Show” to discuss the contest and his transition and then for a second time to showcase the cover and feature of Men’s Health Magazine. Aydian is also the founder of Point 5cc Clothing.

About Boston Pride

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Pride Week 2016 will be held June 3rd-12th.