Swim With Pride At The Brookside Beach Pride Event In Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham Township is celebrating Pride Month this week by hosting a night of swimming and a movie at Brookside Beach to cap off the month with love and equality.

Swimming will be held at Brookside Beach from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30. After the sun goes down, a screening of the Disney film 'Inside Out' will take place to finish off the evening.

The pride event is sponsored by The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task Force and Brookside Community Church. "At its core, Pride Month is about inclusion, acceptance and reducing stigma. While progress has been made in promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion, LGBTQIA+ people – especially youth – continue to experience discrimination, stigma, social isolation, harassment and violence," The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task Force said.

According to Mendham Township Recreation, during the swimming portion of the evening, there will be special nonprofit displays from organizations serving the LGTBQ+ community.

Snacks will be provided for all guests, and there will be crafts, non-profit tables, giveaways, music and other family-friendly activities.

The Brookside Community Church booth will have an edible paint-your-own pride flag cookie station for everyone to enjoy.

"Our young people need to know that their community stands with them this month and every month! Every resident and family should feel seen, welcomed and included," The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task Force said.

For more information, contact David Guida at dguida@mendhamtownship.org.