Springfield’s Pride Gala includes surprise guest performer as community raises funds, promotes ‘understanding’

As guests walked the red carpet at MGM Springfield, wearing gowns and jewels inspired by the Met Gala's "Fabergé Egg," the Springfield community came together on Thursday in support of public school youth — days before the city's second annual Pride Parade.

"So remember how I said it was kind of easier this year? Well, that [the gala] makes it a little more difficult," Taurean Bethea, leader of the Springfield Pride Parade organization, told a group of MassLive journalists on May 16.

On display at the sold-out gala included a row of Fabergé eggs lining the gala hallway as well as other items for the silent auction that were sent by the company, including the yellow gold diamond and sapphire trans flag fluted eternity ring, with a retail value of $3,500.

Regina and Carl Tillona, attendees at the gala who are affiliated with Elms College, said they were excited to contribute in any way possible and the opportunity to potentially bid on the Fabergé ring that Regina said she has been keeping her eye on.

J.J. Starr, a gala volunteer, said she decided to come because she recently moved to the area in August and wanted to find those with similar beliefs, especially as someone who identifies as bisexual and grew up in a household that didn't support her sexuality at the time.

Starr said she was shocked when she found out that Springfield's first Pride Parade was last year.

"I was pretty surprised because I’m not from the Northeast but you think of Massachusetts you think it's a pretty like, progressive place so I would have imagined that they would have had [one before that]," Starr told MassLive.

Mayor Domenic Sarno, who was also in attendance at the gala, said it takes a lot to put together a parade but Bethea was up for the challenge last year. Sarno said he believes this year's parade will be the largest in Western Massachusetts. It's scheduled for Saturday.

Surprise performer Monarch Haus of Saint Morta joined the gala as well as Springfield's own Malado! music and DJ Kenneth Kyrell.

Although the music brought the attendees to the dance floor, the "You Ball" gala brought the community together in order to raise money for the Springfield Pride Parade organization's Safe Space after-school program, looking to grow into high schools and more Springfield public schools.

Bethea said that since beginning of the program this school year he has had multiple other schools request the program and foresees more inquiries as the organization expands it.

The Pride Parade organization is also looking at opening offices in schools to provide year-round services for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Sarno said he is in support of the Safe Space program's expansion.

"I think the more education you can get out there the betterment of people understanding each other, which grows the respect," Sarno told MassLive. "People need to take the politics out of this and try to treat this as a human spirit situation."

The after-school program grew out of the Safe Space initiative that partners with Springfield businesses to place public-facing decals to commit to and demonstrate their business is inclusive to LGBTQIA+ individuals. MassLive is one of more than a dozen businesses that are a part of this initiative. Last summer, the organization began its summer programming in partnership with Springfield College for grades six to 12.

It was only this school year that Safe Space, which currently runs at Van Sickle Academy, John F. Kennedy Academy, and John J Duggan Academy, started. Serving youth from grades six to eight, the program now includes four teachers, according to Safe Space program manager and teacher Frankie Walsh.

Frankie Walsh, program director, at Van Sickle Academy for the Pride Parade Organization's after-school program.

Walsh, who was a summer enrichment teacher for the Safe Space program last year, said the program is critical in allowing students to see themselves reflected back in the curriculum. She also said that doing it at the middle school level is important to her so that she is able give information and support to youth early on.

The program, which meets three times a week during the school year, has an average of two dozen students, according to Walsh.

For Yadielys Torres, 13, she has learned a lot more about herself, including the fact that she likes to draw and color and enjoys her quiet time.

One exercise Walsh created that Torres enjoyed was when she was able to draw on a blank puzzle and on the back wrote self-care and esteem tips.

"It made me realize how much I like myself," Torres told MassLive. Being a part of the group has built her confidence and allowed her to learn about Pride Month and drag queens, among other topics which she hasn't learned about before.

Frankie Walsh, program director, at Van Sickle Academy for the Pride Parade Organization's after-school program.

Beyond raising funds for youth-based programming through the gala, the gala is also focused on celebrating and honoring ‎LGBTQIA+ and ally business owners, professionals, and community leaders.

The Springfield Pride Parade organization partnered with White Lion Brewing to give out a $3,000 scholarship to public school student Xayra Serrano.

Other awards given at the event included the "Against All Odds Award," which was given to Kailey Boyd of Play It Smart MN, LLC, for supporting students in Springfield public schools through extracurricular activities.

The "Legendary Award" was presented to Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris for her community leadership and work in ensuring the equitable distribution of resources to the LBGTQIA+ community.

"It's taken us time to acknowledge the very important work of the LGBTQ community. So this is important for the city of Springfield, and I am excited and happy that we are in the midst of this movement," Caulton-Harris told MassLive.

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