By Matthew Hersh
Rainbow flags brightened Witherspoon Street Saturday morning as hundreds of residents, visitors, students, elected officials, faith leaders, and community advocates gathered for the annual Princeton Pride Parade, celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility while underscoring the importance of continued advocacy and civic engagement.
Organized by the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, the June 13 event brought participants from across the region together for a march up Witherspoon Street, culminating in an after-party at the Princeton YMCA field featuring community organizations, entertainment, and local advocacy groups.
The celebration drew a wide range of local and state officials, including Mayor Mark Freda, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, Princeton Council members, and other community leaders.
Addressing the crowd before the parade stepped off, Freda welcomed attendees and thanked the organizers for their work in bringing the event together.
“In today’s world, it’s pretty important that we show up,” said Freda. “We show up for what we stand for, and we show that we’re accepting and respectful and tolerant of everybody. That’s just the way it should be.”
The mayor acknowledged that while inclusion should be a given, current social and political divisions make public demonstrations of support especially meaningful.
“That’s why we’re here,” he said before encouraging participants to enjoy the day’s festivities.
Much of the event’s focus centered on the work of the Bayard Rustin Center and the volunteers who make the organization’s programming possible throughout the year.
Sara Wasserman, Ph.D., queer educator at the center and a longtime local organizer, highlighted the contributions of volunteers, interns, and community members who helped organize both the parade and after-party.
“The incredible work that happens at the center is because of all our volunteers, our interns, and the incredible people who lend their time and join our team,” Wasserman said. “Today’s magic happens because of them.”
Wasserman also thanked elected officials and community supporters who have backed the center’s work, noting the importance of public leaders who are willing to advocate for LGBTQ+ residents.
“It’s really important to put your money where your mouth is,” she said. “All of the folks who have chosen to be here believe that, and it’s incredible.”
Zwicker connected the celebration to ongoing legislative efforts in Trenton, describing New Jersey’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ residents amid policy battles taking place elsewhere around the country.
“We are proud of many things here in New Jersey,” Zwicker said. “But we’re also proud of the fact that no matter where you’re born, no matter who you are, no matter how you love, no matter what makes you uniquely you, we are going to see you, we are going to hear you, and we are going to protect you.”
The senator pointed to pending legislation known as the New Jersey Shield Law, which would strengthen protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care services. That bill, S2260, passed the state Senate last month and a full vote in the state’s lower chamber is pending.
“I have met with parents of trans youth, and I’ve heard their stories and heard their fears,” Zwicker said. “When I see what’s going on in other states, I know that Jersey Pride means that we must act.”
Thanking attendees for their advocacy, he added, “My thanks and my pride is for you — a community of love.”
“I am grateful to be here standing in solidarity, celebrating Pride on this beautiful sunny day in Princeton,” Freiman later told Town Topics, echoing Zwicker: “Every person deserves to feel seen, heard, loved, and accepted. Thank you to the organizers and to those marching with us all here today.”
While the day was largely celebratory, organizers repeatedly stressed that visibility alone is not enough and urged attendees to remain engaged after the festivities ended.
Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, chief activist of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, encouraged participants to remain involved in civic life and advocacy efforts.
“Stand up and be counted,” Seda-Schreiber told the crowd. “Make sure you get represented. Make sure your voice is heard.”
As the parade ascended Witherspoon Street and passed Paul Robeson’s welcoming visage outside the Arts Council of Princeton, the clear, late-spring skies contrasted sharply with recent years, which organizers noted had been marked by extreme heat and heavy rain.
“You leave today after our celebration,” Seda-Schreiber said, “and then we do the work to make sure we’re all kept safe.”
For more information on the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, visit rustincenter.org.