How It Was Born, How It’s Spreading Its Rainbow Wings
By Linda Tuccio-Koonz
When it comes to celebrating and improving the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community, there’s much to be done. Pride in the Hills is helping, with everything from film festivals and scholarships, to funding gay-straight alliances to reduce bullying in schools. “Anything to spread the word, spread the love, spread the support,” says Chris Herrmann, a founding member. “It’s all about creating safe spaces and awareness.”
Inclusive events, such as cultural festivals, create environments where LGBTQ+ youth can feel like they’re not a minority. “For some of these kids, it’s the first time they feel part of a majority; that creates a safe space,” says Herrmann, a filmmaker who lives in New Preston with his husband, Joseph Lorino. “We’ve funded and developed all these programs and made a huge impact in just six years, it’s amazing actually,” he says, of the organization, serving Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.
Members say advocacy is needed because there’s a void in Connecticut. Some people just don’t feel comfortable being out here. Also, some kids from difficult backgrounds are struggling. “I’ve met kids who’ve gotten thrown out of their house for being gay. So, you know, there is a void for a place for them to go, to be safe.”
Pride in the Hills, including a dedicated advisory board, funds programs through benefits such as its silent auction, June 9, hosted by New Preston Pride and The Owl. “The restaurant has a big terrace. We usually have a couple hundred people, it’s very festive. Everyone comes together to donate money and auction items. We raised $35,000 last year,” Herrmann says, of the Pride Month event. Quassy Friends & Family Fun Day follows, June 22, at the Middlebury amusement park. “We had 400 kids and their families last year,” Herrmann says. It’s a wonderful day where folks enjoy the chance “to just be themselves.”
Simply getting to be yourself isn’t always easy for LGBTQ+ kids. Sara Wendrow, LMSW, of New Milford Youth Agency, says grant money from Pride in the Hills has helped enhance offerings such as its support group and annual Pride Prom. “The group has given students a chance to speak their truths,” says the social worker. “Pride Prom brings together LGBTQIA+ youth from surrounding towns to create a larger network of support and acceptance.”
The grant also supports placement of a prominent Pride billboard during Pride Month, “promoting inclusivity and kindness for all,” Wendrow says. “We couldn’t be more appreciative.”
Pride in the Hills has raised over $500,000 since its inception. Among its many fans are Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia of Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston, home of Spring Hill Arts Gathering, aka SHAG. “When we were just starting out,” Herrmann says, “we’d meet at the vineyard’s picnic tables and drink wine and brainstorm about fundraisers we’d have. Stephanie came up and said ‘Hi! I’m Stephanie!’ I explained what we were doing and she said, ‘I’m interested!’ The next thing you know, we had our first fundraiser there.
“They loved it. It’s just a fun, vibrant, creative event. The next year she said, ‘Can we partner with you for SHAG with Pride in the Hills?’ So, they give us one day every year at the SHAG festival. We get our own day!” SHAG with Pride in the Hills draws premium talent and big crowds (900 attended last year). Performers have included culturally diverse artists from Grammy-nominee Sophie B. Hawkins to Betty Who and Jake Wesley Rogers. This year’s event is still in formation, but Herrmann says, “We always aim for every color of the LGBTQ+ rainbow in our programming.” —prideinthehills.org
