New Haven’s Pride Weekend kicked off at City Hall Friday with the colorful flair and festive spirit of carnival, but with an eye toward remembering those who fought for LGBTQ rights and the fights to come.
The LGBTQ community won a huge victory in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must recognize same-sex marriages. But Seth Wallace, an organizer of this year’s pride event (pictured above), reminded those who packed out City Hall that fights for equal treatment remain.
“While many of have benefited from past civil and social rights activism there are so many members of our community who lack basic safety, housing, jobs and support,” he said. “It is our responsibility to uplift the voices of the unheard.”
Wallace said part of uplifting those voices at Pride this year in New Haven will go beyond the merrymaking and celebration that often accompanies the event to include educational opportunities. In addition to celebratory events, a queer-trans youth “speak out” event was hosted by the LGBTQ+Youth Kickback at the New Haven Public Library. There also is an ongoing display of the “Gender, Projected” photography exhibit at City Hall which features pictures of models and their words, which challenge the boundaries of what is gender and how one shows it. (Read more about the project here.)
On Monday a screening of Boys Don’t Cry and discussion with the movie’s director Kimberly Pierce will be hosted by the Yale Lesbian Filmmakers, at the Loria Center, 190 York St., and on Tuesday at Yale’s LGBTQ Center, 40a Ashmun St., Wallace will lead an emotional intelligence workshop for queer-identified people.
Wallace told the crowed that Pride means many things to different people. For some, it is a time to share their identity with their family and friends, but for others it is a time to celebrate those who have come before like well-known drag queen performer Sassie Saltimboca, who also was known as Drew Mancuso.
The kickoff was heavy with the presence of Saltimboca, who lost her battle with cancer, last month. This year’s pride is being held in her memory, and her last dance partner, Luis Antonio (pictured above), moved many in the crowd with an emotional solo-performance in her honor.
Antonio along with, Saltimboca’s long time partner Kenneth Hopkins, are working together to keep her spirit alive through an upcoming performance at Lyric Hall called “Escapade: An Unusual Experience” during the first weekend in October.
Hopkins (pictured at left in the photo), who wiped away tears, said he found comfort in knowing how well the people thought of Saltimboca in the LGBTQ community. She was a regular performer at 168 York Street Cafe and also the Downton Evening Soup Kitchen. The New Haven Pride Center is honoring Saltimboca and Hopkins with a Dorothy Award, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the LGBT community in Connecticut.
Hopkins called the award, “a beautiful surprise,” and the outpouring of love for Saltimboca, “very healing.”
Saltimboca’s mother, Marie Statts (pictured), was moved to tears by the honors. “I know she would have loved it,” she said. “I feel like she’s here.”
