A Month of MaineTransNet at Pride
By Emily Connelly
June was a whirlwind month, and MaineTransNet traveled to Pride events all over the state! Volunteers and staff helped to make a cheerful, engaging presence for everyone visiting Pride parades and events, from Sanford to Portland to Bangor, and MTN even was able to be a part of Gorham’s first Pride. The weather didn’t always cooperate for revelers, with a lot of rain and wind, but MTN helped make sure everyone felt the joy and fun of gathering in celebration.
Micaela Cassily, Volunteer Coordinator and Special Projects Manager at MTN, was able to attend multiple events this year, and says that there were “fun, joyous, enthusiastic crowds, lots of families with kids, engaged teens, people enjoying community and having a great time in spite of everything else going on in the world.” Portland’s pride was a huge event once again, with thousands marching and watching the parade in the pouring rain. MTN created a cozy hideaway for those needing a less noisy (and less soaking wet) event in the ECC, with free coffee, donuts, and cookies for visitors, and those who came by were able to take a breath and have a treat — and find something new at the thrift shop!
Gorham’s event was, as Micaela reports, “one of the best organized that I’ve been to… there was entertainment, friendly crowds, and lots of families. A good time was had by all.” Gorham hosted their event inside the municipal center, keeping attendees dry. Coda Mower joined as a volunteer, sharing that it was a wonderful experience and very well attended. “It was nice to feel safe and seen by so many smiling faces and it filled me with a deep sense of hope for the next generation of queer kids.” Coda went on, sharing that “the most heart warming sight to me were the older fathers who were there supporting their kids. I think it just hit a deep chord with me because that was something I desperately wanted growing up and didn't get, so seeing parents and their children coming together had me choking up.” Christine Caulfield volunteered at Gorham’s Pride as well, and shared that there was, unfortunately, a large group of protestors outside. Christine said that “they were pretty awful… the experience then was different, as we were dealing with quite a few people who came into the building who were pretty upset, kids crying, adults crying. Those people were subject to real abuse.” But, she says, “what I think Pride is all about really came to the fore. People caring for each other, helping each other out, soothing kids with free stickers and lots of smiles, and parents thanking us for being there in spite of the threats.”
Christine reminds us all that “Pride is a celebration of being who we are DESPITE the attitudes of many people who would like us to go back into the closet. Pride commemorates the Stonewall Riot, and I always remember that first. Yes, it’s a good time for celebrating… But it’s also a time for reflection for me, that hate and intolerance exist, and together as a single voice and through coordinated, compassionate action, we can change people, and change this world.”
Jem Hodsdon, who volunteers as Interim Chair of the Community team, attended multiple Pride events this year, dodging the rain but finding joy and community in Hallowell, Bangor, and Lewiston/Auburn. At Hallowell Pride, it was “cold, horrible weather, raining sideways! But we’re hardy, we’re Mainers, we’re fine!” Jem laughs. They go on to say “the people who came out to that Pride were just really glad to see us, and they were really enthusiastic about being there.” Lewiston/Auburn’s event was much less rainy thankfully, and they tabled at a park next to the river. “We had a good number of volunteers and they did a beautiful job decorating our tent, which was so nice, and they were so helpful.” And Bangor’s Pride was another much bigger event, with crowds coming by MTN’s table. Jem shares that “I just love talking to people and I love hearing what they are up to, answering their questions, I just really genuinely like it!”
What does it look like, volunteering for MTN at Pride? Jem says it’s a busy time with people coming by the table, explaining about MTN’s organization and letting them know about all of MTN’s resources and community groups. “A lot of people have never heard of us, which I was surprised by! So I got to say a lot of nice things about MTN.” A lot of work goes into preparing for Pride events, from people all throughout the organization. Getting to jump in to volunteer at Pride is a great way to learn a lot more about everything that MTN does and all the people behind it. Jem’s first volunteer event was at last year’s Hallowell Pride, which helped them understand more about the organization and find their own spot as a volunteer more permanently. It’s also a great way to meet more people, especially if you are introverted. You get to sit behind a table and have a job to do — and have a script to read to initiate those conversations, which are both fun and meaningful. Whether or not you volunteer just once, or find a spot on a committee as a volunteer, Pride is a great time to join, they say. “Everyone is having a good time, and everyone is so excited and beautiful and bright and happy and excited to talk to us, it’s such good vibes.”
MTN’s presence at Pride events is powerful, too. Jem says, “I think sometimes Pride can be very cis gay and lesbian centric, not on purpose and not because anyone means anything bad by it, but I think that can happen. I think it’s important for us to be there, and in a place of prominence, and to not be ashamed or intimidated by the national discourse happening about us. I think it matters to people.” Jem explains exactly how, when they recount their favorite interactions at Pride. “Someone will come through with a group of people, whoever they went to Pride with,” they say. “We’ll talk to them, and we’ll sell them stickers and talk to them about the programs. And then sometimes a person who was part of that group will come through again later, by themselves, and they will just be like, ‘you know, the people that I was with, they don’t know that I am trans. I’m not out yet, but I just wanted to come by and tell you.’ And those interactions, it just warms me. To know that our presence is important to people, and we can just hear that, and see people who aren’t ready to be out, and be kind of a little safe space for them… that happened more than once, and we got to say ‘Hey, congratulations, and welcome.’”
Thank you to all of the many MTN volunteers and staff who helped ensure June was a welcoming, supportive, fun, and joyful month for everyone attending Pride events across the state. And see you at next year’s Pride!
