Every year, there will be rainbows over East Hampton on the first Saturday in June.
The first annual Pride parade took place on Saturday at noon in East Hampton and it was a joyous, color-popping celebration of freedom and equality that attracted members of the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community, their allies, clergy, local politicians, storekeepers, well-wishers, the young, the old, and the curious.
“I have never felt prouder of East Hampton than today,” said Eric Menkes, who was in attendance with his husband, Sean Davis.
The event was a display of visibility and acceptance; few other public events hinge so much on being seen — by everyone — and the importance of openly proclaiming one’s identity. Such an affirmation of gay rights is particularly poignant at a time when L.G.B.T.Q.+ issues remain a flash point in the nation’s culture wars and when transphobia and homophobia are poised to become cornerstones of the 2024 elections. Most famously, one was reminded of the piece of Florida legislation that bans instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools between kindergarten and third grade, the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
On Saturday, East Hampton wasn’t just saying, “gay,” it was screaming it. Rainbow flags fluttered on cars and floats, on houses and in the windows of local businesses, on the hats of onlookers, and painted on the faces of marchers. Banners emblazoned with the words, “Love Is Love” were held high. Bubbles sailed through the air, children danced, same-sex couples kissed, drag queens strutted regally, and even dogs showed their pride, sporting rainbow-hue ribbons and collars. About 45 organizations on the East End — Guild Hall, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Our Fabulous Variety Show, the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, to name a just few — had come with floats festooned with rainbows and messages of support.
East Hampton’s queer love was in full bloom as the parade of perhaps 1,000 people, caravanned down Main Street and Newtown Lane, which were closed to traffic. The procession ended in Herrick Park for a D.J.’d dance party, where elected officials such as East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen, East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, Suffolk Legislator Bridget Fleming, and East Hampton Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby joined in.
“I’m so proud of East Hampton Village,” said a visibly buzzing Tom House, the founder of Hamptons Pride, which organized Saturday’s event, “It’s the first village on the East End to close its streets for a Pride parade in history!”
No longer can anyone question why there hasn’t been a Pride parade in the Hamptons, Mr. House said. “We can’t say that anymore!”
The first Gay Pride march was held in New York City on June 28, 1970, a year to the day after the Stonewall Riots, which followed a police raid of a gay club in Greenwich Village. The riots and New York City’s first march were turning points in the push for L.G.B.T.Q.+ rights that soon led to places around the world hosting Pride parades in June, the official month of Pride.
Perhaps an indicator of some progress in the last 52 years, especially among youth, was the positive presentation of a new generation’s queer experience as delivered on Saturday by Kym Bermayo, a senior at East Hampton High School.
“There was so much I wanted to say to all of you, yet I have no words to describe the immense emotions I feel,” the high schooler said, sharing her preferred pronouns: he/she/they. She spoke about her mother being the inspiration for her speech. The night before the parade, her mother had told Kym that she needed to find the perfect outfit because it was a very special day.
“This brought me to tears. . . . Her words made me realize the difference between being embraced and being acknowledged. My queer identity was always acknowledged but I never felt that it was truly embraced until that moment. This parade represents the growth we have made in the community of East Hampton, an event that will surely go down in history. This parade has demonstrated that the community of East Hampton is ready to fully embrace the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community. I want to remind young people that this community is a safe place for all and it is a family. . . . I ask that the community continue to demonstrate their support year round. To not only acknowledge our existence but also to embrace us in your warm arms, like a mother. Your acceptance and continued support will surely enable a space for young people and others in the community to fully embrace their identity and unapologetically be themselves. Your presence alone is a step to creating a community of love. Because together we are love. And love plus love will always and forever equal love.”
Mayor Larsen, who the organizer Mr. House credited for instigating the parade, also addressed the crowd. He said the idea for greater visibility for East Hampton’s L.G.B.T.Q.+ community came after he saw a young person struggling with his identity, which ended tragically. The mayor said he knew he had to do something and that if an event such as the parade could help just one person in the community feel safe, then his goal would be accomplished.
Looking around the flock gathered in Herrick park, the mayor said, “And this is bigger and better than I thought it ever would be.”
“That’s the gays for you!” shouted a jubilant woman in the crowd, and danced on.
