'Pride is a blessing': Plattsburgh fest focuses on acceptance, unity

PLATTSBURGH — The Strand Center front lawn echoed with applause and cheers during this year's Pride Fest flag raising that celebrated community, acceptance and identity.
Friday's Pride event brought together attendees from all over, including families and local organizations that promoted healthy self-expression and LGBTQ+ acceptance in the North Country.
Emily Arriaga, a Plattsburgh local attending her first Pride in the city, described the event as "really great," and expressed a deep appreciation for the chance to celebrate openly in her hometown.
"Pride is being able to be who you are without any backlash," Arriaga said, a sentiment shared by many throughout the day.
Christopher T. Hathaway, a parent, attended to support his child.
"My daughter is gay and I am here to show my support for her and her girlfriend," he said.
Hathaway emphasized the importance of treating one another with respect as a family.
"We are all God's children and we should live like everyone is our brother and sister," he said. 'I am glad there aren't any anti-Pride people hanging out."
Jennifer Titus-Malone, who moved to the North Country from South Georgia, described Plattsburgh's Pride as a welcoming and supportive space with "a real sense of community."
"Pride means I am free to be myself in public," she said.
Titus-Malone reflected Friday on the culture shock here compared to her experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the South.
"Pride is an honor of everyone who has come before us," said Mario Chicas Chanduvi, who attended his first hometown Pride.
He emphasized how meaningful it was to see what the event has grown into.
"It is an honor to see," he said. "Growing up here, we didn't have these outlets. Pride is a blessing. Pride is an honor of everyone who has come before us. It means to be true to oneself, to be who you are without worrying."
Andrew Vernon, attending his first Pride event, liked seeing the support of the community in full effect.
"I have never been to a Pride event before, but I am really liking it so far," he said. "The vibes are great."
Crystal Collette, CEO of Planned Parenthood of North Country NY, said downtown was "filled with excitement, raw energy, and positivity" during the celebration.
Collette describes Pride as "a time to celebrate family, be yourself and come together," noting its importance during a time of national challenges for LGBTQ+ people.
She also expressed disappointment and shame for the federal government, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and community.
"Pride is especially important this year," Collette said. "Transgender people's entire existence is being invalidated by the actions of our federal government."
Alyssa O'Brien, co-owner of Whistle Stop Fusion Barbecue & Craft Mocktails, praised the event's strong turnout.
"This is our first Pride participating as a business," she said.
To O'Brien, Pride is about being able to be yourself.
'It isn't rocket science," she said. "Some people just want to be themselves, and be free to express themselves with the support of a community behind them."
She recalled attending her first Pride event in Plattsburgh more than 20 years ago, acknowledging that it can be intimidating at first, but encouraged anyone interested to just get out and be with people.
'Come out here, be around other people who think like you and act like you and look like you," O'Brien said.
A running theme throughout the event was acceptance, community and the power of standing together to celebrate Pride and to honor the original Stonewall protest that started it all.
Before raising the rainbow flag or Pride flag, which is a symbol of LGBTQ pride and LGBTQ social movements, on Friday, Collette introduced speakers Connie Mandeville, drag king of Haus of Starr, and Ali Webbinaro, North Country Regional Representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul.
This year's Pride event was hosted by The Strand Center for the Arts, in collaboration with Planned Parenthood of the North Country NY, the city of Plattsburgh, the Plattsburgh Queer Collective, Haus of Starr and the Alliance for Positive Health.

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