Pride Is Back in Boston as Parade Returns After Quarrel Over Inclusivity

BOSTON (AP) The biggest Pride parade in New England returns to Boston after a three-year hiatus Saturday, with a fresh focus on social justice and inclusion rather than corporate backing.

About 10,000 marchers signed up before registration was shut down, according to organizers. Employee groups are welcome to march, but corporations aren't. We really did start by looking forward to how we could best serve the LGBTQ community in greater Boston and really all across New England, said Jo Trigilio, vice president of Boston Pride for the People.

One of the oldest Pride events in the country, this year's parade will travel a bit shorter route than in past years, beginning at Copley Square and ending at Boston Common with a festival for families, teens and older community members. A second event for the over-21 crowd will take place on City Hall Plaza and include alcohol, a disc jockey and dancing.

This marks Boston's first Pride parade since 2019. The hiatus began with COVID-19, but extended through 2022 because the organization that used to run the event, Boston Pride, dissolved in 2021 under criticism that it excluded racial minorities and transgender people.