LEWISTON — Pride L/A, a Lewiston-Auburn LGBTQ+ led grassroots organization that fights for the liberation of all people by building community to protest injustice and fight indifference, will hold a Pride L/A march and festival, “Liberation for All,” on Saturday, June 30.

“This is the first time I haven’t felt alone.” Those were the words a youth shared with a steering committee member at the 2017 Pride L/A Festival, “RISE UP!.” The feeling this young person shared is why Pride exists: for LGBTQ+ members and allies to refuse isolation and silence, to stand in solidarity and to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness that each person bring to this world.

Pride L/A wants to reach out to friends, supporters, community partners and dedicated volunteers to say “thank you” for an exciting first year.

The group got off the ground with “RISE UP!” in June and members have continued throughout the year by affirming the commitment to social justice in the community. At the first annual leadership retreat they identified community needs, based on feedback LGBTQ+ community leaders have received over the last several years. In response, they developed the Safer Spaces campaign, have begun holding a monthly social drop-in and have been lifting up youth voices through Step Up Pride Youth.

For the Safer Spaces campaign members will give out window decals as a way of allowing local businesses and organizations to designate themselves as being welcoming to all community members. The campaign is set to roll out early this month.

As a means of providing social opportunities for community members, they have started a monthly social drop-in. Some of the drop-ins are informal: time and space to chill out together, while others will include an optional activity. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to bring a potluck dish.

The next drop-in will be Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Center for Wisdom’s Women, and attendees will have the option of participating in a conversation on domestic violence in the LGBTQ+ community with Elizabeth from Safe Voices.

The group is working on LGBTQ+ youth leadership development and assuring the presence of young voices with Step Up Pride Youth, a youth-led meeting space for LGBTQ+ folks and allies under age 30 to help plan Pride L/A.

To become a safer space, email pride.la.maine@gmail.com for more information.

Attend a social drop-in at the Center for Wisdom’s Women, 97 Blake St., on the fourth Sunday of every month. They typically run from 3 to 5 p.m., but may run from 3 to 6 p.m., depending on the need of the event.

To join the Steering Committee attend the meetings from 12:30 to 3 p.m. the second Sunday of every month at the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, 208 Bates St.

Step Up Pride Youth meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center. The next meeting will be on March 4.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/PrideLAMaine/ or to volunteer, contact pride.la.maine@gmail.com.

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