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Boston Pride is the organization that has organized the largest annual pride parade in New England. Today the group announced that it was shutting down all operations in response to demands from activists who accused the group of being racist and exclusive. Here’s a portion of the group’s statement about the decision:
Over the past year, we have invested time and energy to address the concerns of the community, both with our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access work with Dorrington & Saunders and by forming the Transformation Advisory Committee comprised of members of the LGBTQIA+ community to help bring change to our organization. We are grateful for all who have been involved in this process.
Amid a boycott over racial equity issues, the Boston Pride organization announced in a statement July 9 that it is dissolving. It is clear to us that our community needs and wants change without the involvement of Boston Pride, the statement on its website reads. We have heard the concerns of the QTBIPOC community and others. We care too much to stand in the way. Therefore, Boston Pride is dissolving. There will be no further events or programming planned, and the board is taking steps to close down the organization.
Boston Pride, which held virtual events in June to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, has been criticized for being whitewashed and trans-exclusionary, according to a recent article in the Boston Globe.
Board dissolving Boston Pride, declares there will be no further events or programming planned Share Updated: 7:18 PM EDT Jul 9, 2021 Ganley Images
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Share Updated: 7:18 PM EDT Jul 9, 2021 The board of directors behind the Boston Pride organization announced late Friday that it would dissolve, taking steps to close down the organization amid recent calls for change. It is clear to us that our community needs and wants change without the involvement of Boston Pride, a statement from the organization s board of directors said. We have heard the concerns of the QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color) community and others. We care too much to stand in the way. Therefore, Boston Pride is dissolving, the board of directors statement continued. There will be no further events or programming planned, and the board is taking steps to close down the organizati