'Pride Saves Lives': 2nd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade Draws Crowd

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Rainbow flags flew high as a crowd celebrating unity and diversity turned out Saturday for the 2nd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade in East Hampton.

Tom House of Hamptons Pride, who organized the event, wrote on social media: "How thrilling and essential to see so many people, and so many different parts of the Hamptons community, come out to celebrate our LGBTQ+ people and allies of the East End for the 2nd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade. So delighted you were with us! Now get ready for June 1, 2024. We'll start Pride month with the Third Annual Pride Parade!"

He added that the day had been marked by "joyous and meaningful moments from this truly awesome community event, and one of the most moving for us: Carla Josephson joining the parade in memory of her late son Alden. Such bravery, and such inspiration for us all."

During his speech at the event, House, who recently traveled to Colombia to help his brother, drugged, robbed and left for dead on vacation, said he so was grateful and full of admiration for every one who marched, who spectated and cheered, and who came to the park to celebrate and to show love and support for the LGBTQ+ people of the Hamptons — and their allies.

"Pride goes beyond tolerance and acceptance; it’s a loving embrace. It says we value you, and we’re better for your presence — we’re so glad you’re here," he said.

House, a teacher, asked young people to look around at the outpouring of support for the East End’s LGBTQ+ community.

"Look at all the different people, and all the different organizations, businesses, schools, cultural organizations and faith groups who not just want you to feel safe here, but to thrive here," he said. To know yourself, love yourself, surprise yourself with how much you can become."

House also noted that the day was steeped in history. "For a fact, East Hampton continues to lead the way, once again closing its main streets for a now-annual Hamptons Pride parade. Something that had never happened before in the Hamptons until last year. Now it’s happened twice. I’m so proud of and so grateful to my hometown and to East Hampton Village for their bravery, their support, and their vision," he said.

Even more important, House said, is the change that new history brings. "Sure, Pride can be a great, fun party, but its soul, its reason for being, is the affirmation of life, and I don’t think it’s too much to say that we’re engaging today in a life-saving endeavor. Pride not only enriches lives, it saves lives. You’re all heroes today."

Pride parades exist because they’re necessary, House said, who believes must continue to exist and grow ever stronger.

"We need big shows of support for our LGBTQ+ people — bigger every year, until we can say that 'LGBTQ+ allies means everyone.'"

As wonderful as the event was, House said there was much more to be done. "There’s more hard work ahead. Not everyone is as lucky as we are. There are still many who don’t have the support they need to walk proudly down main street as an LGBTQ+ person, or as a proud ally. They fear the repercussions of their families, their peers."

The parade was organized in the hopes of ever-broadening support, he said. "When you leave here today, please go out and find those people who need support, and help them join us here next year."

House said there is a rule at the Bridgehampton School GSA — once called the Gay and
Straight Alliance, now the Genders and Sexualities Alliance — that you can’t ask someone what their sexual orientation is, or what their gender identification is — that’s information a person reveals in their own time, if ever, he said.

"We respect everyone present, knowing that there's a whole spectrum of reasons why a person might be present at a GSA meeting or event. Why they might be present at a Pride parade. And those reasons are as personal as people want them to be. They can reveal their identities, their reasons for being here, if they know them, when they like, or never; that is their right," he said.

House reminded young people at the parade that there are many straight people — "that’s the
old-fashioned, not so great synonym for allies" — many who have come to support a cause that’s not exactly their own. They come because they value you; they know that Pride is a human right, that to deny any citizen that right poisons our communities, worsens our world, and ultimately does everyone harm. This is when deep change comes about, when we fight for not just our own, but everyone’s, human rights."

House also thanked those who've made huge strides, including the fact that more schools, more faith groups, more arts organizations, more businesses, were represented.

New to the parade in 2023 was the Springs School, the second elementary and middle school to join the high schools that are already participating. The Ross School's large entry included their elementary and middle school, he said. He also thanked other local organizations that took part.

House also honored Carla Josephson, who lost her son Alden Powers to suicide almost two years ago. "His mother, Carla Josephson, a kind, beautiful soul, a survivor, and a super ally, has made the enormous step of marching in the parade today. She not only brings the memory and presence of her son to his friends and family again, but she brings herself," he said. "Carla, Hamptons Pride and the Hamptons Pride Parade, exist for you — to embrace you, and to lift you up; you lift us up. Let’s celebrate Alden today, and let’s celebrate Carla, with the knowledge that we’re doing the work of making life better in the Hamptons for our LGBTQ+ people. Let’s embrace, let’s love; let’s affirm lives and save lives."