AMHERST — Rainbow flags flew in the air, music by queer pop artists played in the background and children giggled as they popped bubbles streaming from a bubble machine on a hot Sunday afternoon. Pride had come to Amherst for the first time.

The town celebrated its inaugural Pride event with a parade, a fair with vendors, live music and several speakers. According to Philip Avila, Amherst’s assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Jan Eidelson, Amherst Pride volunteer and organizer, proposed the idea of a pride celebration two months ago.

The event, which saw about 300 people stop by for the parade and fair set up on the Amherst Common, came together with the support of Amherst Pride volunteers, the town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Downtown Amherst Business Improvement District (BID).

The parade stepped off at noon at Amherst Regional High School before making its way downtown to crowds gathered on both sides of the road. Spectators held signs, waved rainbow flags and cheered as the Amherst Pride banner, carried by several marchers, passed by to mark the start of the parade.

The banner was followed by the Expandable Brass Band, which played a lively rendition of “Bella Ciao” decked out in black and yellow outfits. Marching in the parade were pride attendees old and young and 20 religious, cultural, activist and business organizations.

After the parade, attendees milled around 40 tents on the common, checking out the various wares, including suncatchers, ceramics, crochet goods, clothing, jewelry, services and information.

One of the groups in attendance — identifiable due to their colorful umbrellas — was the Parasol Patrol, a volunteer-run, national organization that shields children from hate at LGBTQ+ and BIPOC events.

Western Massachusetts Parasol Patrol organizer Ali Wicks-Lim developed a local chapter because they said there were a lot of requests for safety following online threats regarding a drag story hour at the Jones Library two years ago.

“I am a nonconforming, queer person in an interracial family, and I know exactly what it means to be made to feel unwelcome in a space. And it feels really important to me to preserve those spaces because I believe that when we come together and build community and create visibility, that’s how we take care of each other,” Wicks-Lim said.

Parasol Patrol volunteer Corinne Shaw echoed Wicks-Lim’s statement, saying that she felt she had to do something to bring hope and comfort in the current political climate.

“[Hate] can ... affect [a person] so deeply, but ... seeing a rainbow umbrella, can counteract that message,” said Shaw.

There were also many local businesses at Amherst Pride, including My Health Matters Fitness, a queer, woman-owned fitness studio in Hadley.

Owner Britt McGrath, who started the business to help people move their bodies in a positive way, said that she was shocked that it was Amherst’s first pride event but also excited about meeting people and enjoying the atmosphere.

“As a queer person myself and the sole owner, it’s really important that we are in these environments that foster joy and pride and security in our community now more than ever,” McGrath said.

A little less than an hour after the parade, a variety of speakers took the stage to thank organizers and talk about why the event is so important right now.

“Let’s take this moment to be together in community, celebrate our unique identities, and fight for a right to exist,” Avila said.

Among the speakers was Councilor Pat De Angelis of District 2.

In an interview with the Gazette, De Angelis said that seven years ago, she and another councilor were the only openly queer people on the council. They authored a proclamation to make June pride month in Amherst, and she said that it was “wonderful” to see a pride parade in Amherst this year.

During her speech, she gave an anecdote about coming out to two of her close friends while having dinner and realizing that solidifying her identity publicly was a crucial step for her.

“For lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and plus people, naming ourselves is an act of courage,” De Angelis said, adding that coming out often means queer people face loss of family, friends, community, jobs, access to health care, and other social services, as well as violence and hate. She also said that hate and violence faced by queer folk is compounded by racism.

She said that it was important, however, to overcome fear to celebrate one’s identity.

“Today and every day, let us choose to celebrate who we are,” De Angelis said.

Several of the speakers spoke about current legislative actions that impact LGBTQ+ communities and social services like SNAP and Medicaid. The resounding message was to find strength in oneself and one’s community.

Debra Kolodny, rabbi and activist, led the crowd in singing “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten and in reciting affirmations, saying that the community has faced hatred, violence and bigotry before and has emerged victorious.

Genny Beemyn, a nonbinary educator and researcher on trans and nonbinary people, spoke about their study of 140 trans and nonbinary students from across the country.

Beemyn said the fact that many students are identifying as trans will not change, and that this year there may be some decrease in the number of students being out as trans and nonbinary, given the political climate. They said, however, that these students are out because they have support, and having community was crucial for them.

Several speakers also shared personal stories.

Amherst Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke urged people to remain “vigilant and active” in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and spoke about how important it was to affirm her child’s identity to build their confidence and help them celebrate their identity.

Renu Gehring, data scientist, PFLAG member and mother of two, shared her transgender son’s journey, saying that the change following gender-affirming care in her son was almost instantaneous after he battled anorexia and anxiety for a long time.

“I’m on a mission to tell everyone my story. I am my child’s mother, and I will shout it out from the rooftops. Gender-affirming care is life-changing. Gender-affirming care is lifesaving. And gender-affirming care is life giving,” said Gehring.

State Rep. Mindy Domb rounded out the speeches by discussing the importance of unity in a time of separation and encouraging people to keep pressure on legislators and be supportive of LGBTQ teens.

Ultimately, the event was well-attended and brought people together in dance, song and community. Attendees repeatedly said that it was exciting to see Pride come to Amherst for the first time.

“I think it’s time,” said Shaw about Amherst’s first pride celebration, saying that it was important to see people show up and visibly show support for their LGBTQ+ community.

Eidelson described the event unfolding in real time as “pretty amazing,” saying, “My cheeks hurt because I’m smiling so much, and I got goosebumps during the parade. People are happy, people feel seen, and that’s what it’s all about.”

“I’m just so glad the community is supporting love,” Eidelson added.