Holliston celebrated its LGBTQ+ community on Sunday, June 14 at Blair Square with song and crafts, games and stories, pups and poems, nonprofit and vendor booths, and allies. After an opening program that included music by Diverse Holliston Choir & Friends, who would perform several numbers throughout the event, Rep. James Arena-DeRosa offered the welcome.

“I cannot think of anything more personal or more reflective of personal freedom than choosing to love who you want to love, and I cannot think of anything more personal or reflective of personal freedom than choosing to live whatever lifestyle sings to you and who you are as a human being … These are the things we need to continue to celebrate – everybody for who they are,” said Arena-DeRosa, who pointed out that Massachusetts was the first state to make marriage equality part of the law.

“Western civilization is still standing…and we have learned that whoever you choose to love does not impinge on my or anybody’s choices on who they love. How you choose to live your life does not impinge on the way I choose to live my life…” He encouraged that when disagreements occur, “let us agree we’re going to approach those issues with care and empathy and concern for all, and we’re going to care and try to problem solve and come up with a solution that works for everybody.”

For more information on HolliPRIDE, visit www.hollipride.org or find the private group on Facebook.

Here are a few shots of the colorful day: