Boston Pride and BAGLY Announce 23rd Annual Massachusetts Youth Pride Festival & Parade

Boston Pride and Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth (BAGLY) announced that the Massachusetts Youth Pride Festival & Parade will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Boston City Hall Plaza.

Massachusetts Youth Pride is celebrating 23 years of queer youth movement in Massachusetts. This celebration is the oldest youth-led, adult-supported LGBTQ Youth Pride celebration in the country. The theme for this year's Massachusetts Youth Pride festival is "Resist, Exist, Persist." The theme of this year's Boston Pride Week is "Stronger Together."

"Our theme 'Stronger Together' encompasses the entire LGBTQ community and an important part of that is our youth," said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. "When we create safe spaces and programs for LGBTQ youth, like the Massachusetts Youth Pride Festival & Parade, we are helping the next generation to be free to be themselves and live their lives with dignity."

"We are expecting a great turnout for this year's Youth Pride Festival and Parade and encourage youth of all ages to attend," said Bethany M. Allen, Director of Statewide Initiatives at BAGLY. "The theme of Youth Pride is always chosen by young people, with input from members of our statewide network. Resist, Exist, Persist, or "REP" for short, is all about resilience and representation. Queer and trans youth are sending the message that they are here to stay."

There is no cost to march in the parade and groups are able to register the day of as well. Any group registering before May 17 will be entered in a drawing to ride the Duck Boat that will lead the Youth Pride Parade. To register click here.

The 37th annual BAGLY Prom will take place immediately following the Youth Pride Parade and Festival from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at City Hall Plaza. First held in 1981, the BAGLY Prom is the world's longest running LGBTQ youth prom and sets the national standard for the way LGBTQ youth come together, support one another and celebrate. Admission to the prom is free for youth who visit the BAGLY Clinic, located at 14 Beacon Street, 3rd Floor, in Boston on or the week before Youth Pride. The BAGLY Clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 to 7:00pm. This year's prom will feature a cosplay competition, with gift card prizes up to $250. For more information about the BAGLY prom, click here.

Boston Pride Week 2017 will kick-off with the Pride flag raising on City Hall Plaza on Friday, June 2 and continue with events throughout the week, concluding with the annual Boston Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 10 and the Stronger Together Rally and Pride Block Parties on Sunday June 11 in the Back Bay and Jamaica Plain.

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. Boston Pride Week 2017 will be held June 2nd - 11th.

About BAGLY

BAGLY is a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization committed to social justice and creating, sustaining, and advocating for programs, policies, and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community.