Known to many as the “Gayor of Northampton,” Clay Pearson was instrumental in getting Hampshire Pride launched in 2023, an annual event that continues to draw thousands of people to the city each May.
An English teacher at Amherst Regional High School for 28 years and department chair, Sara Barber-Just in 2002 created the first LGBTQ literature course for a public school in the United States, a class that some 2,000 students have taken part in.
Pearson and Barber-Just recently joined more than 100 others from across the state, including additional representatives from Hampshire County and Holyoke, at the State House for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Awards: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Excellence on the Hill.
The June 17 event, sponsored by the Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus, and held in the Senate chambers, celebrated the accomplishments and talents of the LGBTQIA+ community, with public servants, advocates, doctors, authors, filmmakers, educators, historians, entrepreneurs and religious leaders all being honored.
“Hampshire Pride was built on the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, valued and celebrated for who they are,” Pearson said in a statement. “My motto is: ‘If you don’t like truth, change it, not by saying, but by doing.’ This mentality has tricked me into stepping up for so many organizations.”
Pearson credits volunteers, organizations like Rainbow Organizing and Response, local sponsors and community members for helping to create spaces like Hampshire Pride
where LGBTQ+ people can gather in pride, joy and solidarity.
Pearson added appreciation for Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, for the nomination and their steadfast support for the LGBTQ community.
The two legislators credited Pearson, joined by Celina Almendarez and Kayla Abney, for getting Hampshire Pride started, after there had been no Pride March since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with just nine weeks to plan, no prior event experience and no initial funding, they managed to get the celebration underway.
“Through his work, Clay cultivates vibrant and joyful spaces and celebrations for and with the LGBTQ+ community across western Massachusetts, uplifting people of all genders, expressions, orientations, races and ages,” Comerford said.
“Clay personifies LGBTQ+ excellence in every possible way, from his signature sky-high heels to his drive to make loud, lasting change,” Sabadosa said. “Hampshire County without Pride is just wrong, and Clay stepped up to bring it back bigger than ever.”
In addition to Hampshire Pride, Clay also co-runs Rainbow Dodgeball in Northampton and is instrumental in the operation of Dune Boys Gay Volleyball league in Florence and hosts many Queer Men of the Berkshires events in Hampshire County.
Barber-Just an inspiration
Barber-Just’s nomination came from state Reps. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, and
Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, who credit her with also serving as the Sexuality and Gender Alliance advisor and being a longtime adviser to the high school’s newspaper, The Graphic.
Barber-Just said in a statement that as a queer teacher she’s still excited to wake up and teach each day, supporting and inspiring students so they can be the best versions of themselves.
“I love creating safe and creative spaces where students can take risks, grow, and flourish—and also learn from people who might seem different from them about things they have never thought about before,” Barber-Just said. “Having LGBTQ teachers and learning about LGBTQ subjects is affirming and even life-saving for queer students but it is equally important for students who are not LGBTQ — to grow their understanding of the lives, history and culture of queer people.
“We have survived and resisted in the darkest and most difficult times and also shown incredible love for our community and stood in solidarity with other marginalized people,” she added.
Domb calls Barber-Just a community hero.
“Through her efforts as an educator, a curriculum developer, student advisor and
an all-around force for good, she has provided students with an exciting education, an introduction to the power of literature and solidarity, and a path to inquiry and meaningful investigation,” Domb said. “Her guidance has offered students a safe space to explore who they are and what is important to them, and has led to increased community awareness and real change.”
Saunders, who represents students at Amherst Regional High School from Shutesbury and Pelham, said Barber-Just has been important to LBGTQ+ youth.
“Her impact on her students is immeasurable, and it was an honor to co-nominate her for
this prestigious award with Rep. Domb,” Saunders said.
Barber-Just’s accolades have also included the school’s Robert Frost Teaching Award in both 2004 and 2023, the Yale Educator Award in 2011, The Williams College George Olmsted Jr. Award for excellence in teaching in 2014 and being a 2022 finalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.
Other local honorees
South Hadley Select Board member Renee Sweeney was nominated for a Commonwealth Pride Award by Sen. Jacob Oliveira, D-Ludlow, and Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton.
Oliveira called Sweeney dedicated to public service and committed to building a
more inclusive community. Sweeney also chairs the South Hadley Human Rights Commission, and is an active participant in numerous local initiatives.
Professionally, Sweeney leads a team at Hampshire College in supporting key areas of the institution’s mission.
In Holyoke, Jeffery Anderson Burgos, administrative assistant to the City Council, was honored for making the city a more inclusive and vibrant community, nominated jointly by Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, and Rep. Patricia Duffy, D-Holyoke.
On Facebook, Anderson Burgos wrote about the experience: “Having the pleasure of speaking with some of these honorees and through reading some of their bios in the program, my biggest takeaway is the inspiration and motivation I feel to do more to get my hands dirty, do more to build up my community, do more to stand against those who want to push us back. It’s an honor to be recognized but, more importantly, it comes with a responsibility.”
Velis called Anderson Burgos “an outstanding leader in Holyoke who works tirelessly to help organize many of the incredible Holyoke Pride events and other gatherings that
celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.”
Gov. Maura Healey said Massachusetts has been leading the nation in the fight for freedom over generations, from before the American Revolution to leading on abolition, women’s rights, Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
“Today, we’re proud to be the state at the forefront of our nation’s freedoms and we will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a safe and welcoming place for all,” Healey said. “We’re grateful to the LGBTQ+ Caucus for recognizing the impact of our state’s LGBTQ+ trailblazers, and offer a deep congratulations to the inaugural group of Commonwealth Pride awardees.”
