Bennington Community Adapts Pride Month Celebrations Amid Pride Center Closure

MONTPELIER, Vt. NewsWK — As Bennington celebrates Pride Month for the first time without the support of the Pride Center of Vermont, local LGBTQ+ organizations are stepping up to ensure that the community remains connected and visible. The Pride Center, which had served Vermont’s LGBTQ+ community for 26 years, closed its doors last October due to a significant funding shortfall. According to Monica Allard, co-chair of the center’s board, the closure was a heartbreaking moment for many. However, she emphasized that the community’s need for a Pride Center remains strong.

Allard explained, “Our community really wants and needs a Pride Center.” The center had been instrumental in providing health care, mental health support, and various events, and the board is now working on a plan to revive its services. A recent transformational donation of $350,000 from an anonymous donor has given the center a glimmer of hope as they strategize on a more sustainable funding model.

Local Pride Events Take Center Stage

This year marks a shift in how Pride Month is celebrated across Vermont, including Bennington County. Local organizations have taken the initiative to organize Pride events in the absence of a central coordinating body. Allard noted the rise of grassroots efforts, stating, “There are more and more local Prides in more rural areas.” This change allows for a broader representation of the LGBTQ+ community beyond the traditionally dominant areas like Burlington.

Residents are encouraged to visit Queer Era, a new platform that lists LGBTQ+ events throughout the state, including those in Bennington. For example, the Queer Film Festival at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier is set to showcase LGBTQ+ cinema, demonstrating how local partnerships are evolving to fill the void left by the Pride Center.

Community Support and Resilience

Several local organizations are also stepping in to continue critical programs once offered by the Pride Center. The Vermont Network has taken over a support group for LGBTQ+ survivors of hate and violence, while Outright Vermont is providing a drop-in space for transgender adults in Burlington. Outright’s Executive Director, Dana Kaplan, highlighted the growing need for support, noting increased levels of despair among LGBTQ+ youth.

Kaplan emphasized the importance of expanding support services during this challenging time, stating, “We need to be expanding right now, not shrinking.” As local groups work together to maintain community connections, Pride Month remains a vital opportunity for visibility and solidarity.

As Bennington residents engage in Pride Month activities, it’s a chance to unite in support of the LGBTQ+ community, even amidst changes in organizational structure. Local events are not just celebrations; they are also a reaffirmation of community strength and resilience during difficult times.