Dozens of rainbow flag signs and window clings featuring the hashtag #NewCanaanPRIDE are appearing on residential and commercial properties throughout town—the result of a local grassroots effort to mark Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or LGBTQ Pride Month here in New Canaan.
Lawn Signs can be purchased through the New Canaan Pride Facebook. Photo by Hannah Tiller
New Canaan’s Hilary Ormond, Julia Stewart, Marley Thackray, Tami Wilkinson, D.J. Kornell, Alyssa MacKenzie, Shona Goldenberg and an organizing committee of 10 others have launched a “New Canaan Pride” Facebook page that has swelled to 360 members in just two weeks, and have sold dozens of the signs (to cover the cost of producing them). In all, more than 150 lawn signs and 75 window clings have been sold.
We put some questions to Stewart to learn about how the idea to bring Pride Month to New Canaan started, how it’s being received and what the organizing group plans.
New Canaanite: Tell us about “New Canaan Pride 2021.” Where did the idea come from to bring a formal LGBTQ Pride Month to New Canaan?
Julia Stewart: Pride 2021 is a long time in the making. It was first floated in 2019 when many families in town pointed out the lack of Pride in New Canaan and for a town that in not only filled with many LGBTQIA-plus families and allies, there is a need to let those younger members of the community know they are loved and supported no matter who they love. So what started off as a conversation online, went to some in person discussions and finally we formed an organizing group of over 10 people at the reins. This was something we all wanted to do in 2020, but because of COVID we couldn’t. We are still mindful of the pandemic as we plan this year (2022 may have some bigger “events”).
What has the response been like?
The response has been so amazingly positive. Luckily this doesn’t even seem that controversial frankly. The demand for lawn signs is going faster than we can keep up with and the business community is getting involved displaying window clings and lawn signs. We have heard reports of two signs stolen, but besides that disappointing report it’s been pure joy and everyone wanting to get involved.
In what way is New Canaan marking June as Pride Month? What should residents and visitors to New Canaan expect to see around town?
Well as mentioned before there are lawn signs going up around town which can be ordered through the Facebook Page for New Canaan Pride. Businesses will be displaying window clings along with signs at places with more land. Honestly, we are planning pretty last minute that you will have to watch the page to see the events unfold. We have a few things up our sleeve that we are finalizing the plans for. We are trying to be respectful that we are still in a pandemic so the big theme this year is visibility.
What else, if anything, would you like to say about New Canaan Pride 2021?
I will say that as someone who grew up in New Canaan and have many LGBTQIA-plus friends from childhood it’s been so touching and affirming to hear them tell us how loving this is. That this would have been such a game changer for them when they were growing up. They are so proud of their hometown. And that’s how all of us feel. Proud of New Canaan. It’s the first, but certainly not last celebration of Pride.
These people are amazing …They inspire me ..
Thank you
Excited to see what’s in store! Hopefully a family gathering as well for kiddos to meet each other! Thanks to all involved!
As a newly out Transgender individual, seeing NC Pride becoming a thing is incredibly wonderful to behold. Due to neurological disadvantages, I still live at home with mom and dad, who have been incredibly u supportive, going so far as to mock me for it. Keep up your wonderful work. You’re making us LG TQ+ers feel loved and wanted. Thank you SO much!