BY CRYSTAL SANDS
The Bangor Pride annual events have become such an important tradition in our city that most of us have come to expect rainbows in June and the big pride parade, but we may not be aware of who organizes these events and the history behind them.
Health Equity Alliance, or HEAL, of Bangor has been the official planner of Bangor Pride events since 2017. HEAL is a non-profit organization with a deep history of making a difference. The organization was originally founded in 1987 in response to the AIDS epidemic in Down East Maine but evolved over the years, as, according to the HEAL website, members of the board came to realize “the real issue was not HIV or any other health disparities, but the marginalization of communities itself.” And, in 2013, the organization officially became HEAL, with a focus on health justice.
Today, HEAL serves marginalized communities throughout our state, offering programs that help people living with HIV, people who use drugs, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others in need of care. HEAL offers HIV care and case management, sexual health and wellness services, as well as harm reduction programs.
Although Bangor Pride events have been happening in some form since 1992, HEAL took the reins in 2017, and the events surrounding Bangor Pride have been growing ever since.
According to Orion Tucker, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and Director of Development at HEAL, “Bangor Pride began in 1992 as a small celebration. It’s grown each year since then, until the pandemic when things were put on pause, but even during the pandemic years, we were able to hold pride activities across Maine.”
“Last year, we had the largest turnout we have ever seen,” Tucker said, “with over 7,000 attendees and 75 different organizations and businesses tabling at the festival.”
Tucker adds that the growth in the Bangor Pride parade and related events has been profound in the last few years.
“Many of our community members have reflected on how Bangor Pride once had less than 100 people walking in a parade,” Tucker said. “It’s hard to imagine how this number has grown to over 1,000 people.”
Tucker, who is also the lead organizer for Bangor Pride events this year, said that he is learning many more people are planning to celebrate Bangor Pride with HEAL for the first time ever this year.
If you are interested in attending, being a part of the parade, becoming a vendor, or helping with the events in some way, Tucker says there are many ways to get involved. There are still opportunities for volunteering to help with pride events and even walking in the parade. There are also ways to donate and help sponsor the events with financial support.
For donating, volunteering, and to access the best and most recent information about Bangor Pride 2024, visit BangorPride.com or follow the Bangor Pride Facebook page. As Pride 2024 approaches, more information will become available on the Bangor Pride website, but detailed information on volunteering, how to sign up, and times and locations of Pride 2024 events are all available on the Facebook page.
In addition to the parade, this year’s festival events include vendors, a fashion show, an art show, and more. Bangor Pride has come a long way from the small celebration in 1992. Today, the power and importance of Bangor Pride to our community can be in many facets—from the rainbow flags on display to the amazing people who come together to show support for the LGBTQ+ community in a festival that keeps growing in both numbers and in spirit.
