When: Thursday, June 22 at 5:45 p.m.
Where: Parade begins at the Cove Beach pavilion
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Equality Cape May, a local LGBTQ advocacy group, has announced that this year’s Pride March will take place the evening of June 22nd in Cape May.
“As LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans people, are increasingly under attack throughout the country, it is essential for us to gather, celebrate our identities, and show our support to one another” stated Ann McCabe, the founder of the group. “Allies and organizations that support our community are very welcome to attend and participate,” McCabe continued.
Participants are asked to gather at the Cove Beach Pavilion by 5:45pm that evening. Beginning at 6pm, the group will proceed down the Cape May Promenade. The March will end in front of Cape May Convention Hall, where the group will hear from a slate of speakers. Attendees are encouraged to come in their fullest self-expression, with rainbow gear, signs, and flags suggested and welcomed. Please note that the route of the March is reversed from prior years.
The 2023 March theme is “Together for Equality,” and speakers will be a highlight of the event. The lineup will include:
· Cassandra Gatelin: local organizer and founding member of Cape May County Indivisible, a group that focuses on social justice issues.
· Sarah Richards: Transgender community advocate and cofounder of TRUE, whose mission is to support transgender and non-binary individuals and their families.
· Tashon Watkins: Local Transgender youth mentor, assisting Adult Transgender persons by aiding them towards transitioning (name change, birth certificates, gender change, HRT, etc.)
An after-party, which is family-friendly, open, and free to attend, will take place on the lawn at the Inn of Cape May as soon as the March has concluded. The festivities will include music and face-painting, and food and drink will be available for purchase. Reservations for table dining are encouraged, as limited seating and service will be available on the lawn.
Local businesses and organizations can support the event by displaying rainbow colors and sharing the event details leading up to the March. While the event is taking place in the City of Cape May, it is intended to be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community throughout Cape May County, and businesses and organizations throughout the region are encouraged to show their support.
Interested parties may keep up-to-date with the event and RSVP via Equality Cape May’s Facebook page. If needed, a rain date for the event will be Thursday, June 29.