By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Belonging Committee sponsored the annual Fairhaven’s Got Pride event in support of the LGBTQ+ community in front of town hall on 6/28/26. The event celebrates everyone and welcomes everyone.
The event included vendor and food booths, live performances, beer garden, and some open mic time for people to tell their stories.
This year’s featured guest was Stonewall Rebellion Veteran, David Velasco Bermudez, 86, and his husband Bob Isadore, 84.
Stonewall is the name of the bar that was raided in 1969 by New York Police to break up and brutalize gay patrons. It was a rather routine occurrence, but this time the patrons fought back, resulting in days of riots and the birth of the gay rights movement.
Anyone who has been to a large Gay Pride parade has undoubtedly seen a sign reading: “The first gay pride was a riot,” or something similar. It harkens back to the original Stonewall Rebellion.
Mr. Bermudez said he was in the bar that night.
“I was in the mess,” said Mr. Bermudez, who speaks at events and is a member of Stonewall Veterans Association. “I’m not a book. I’m a person.”
He said most of what people have heard or read about Stonewall is wrong; he speaks to set the record straight.
Mr. Isadore said he runs workshops for first responders, and started the first bereavement program for Gays. Sadly, both men have lost many of their friends to AIDS.
Learn more about the Stonewall riots and the Stonewall Veterans Association at www.stonewall.org
ToniAnne Wong, aka Toni Lopreno, spoke told her coming out story and how her mother needed a lot of time to accept her daughter’s life style, eventually using the name she wants.
“I never really left. I might look a little different. But I’m still her kid. And she’s still my mom,” said Ms. Wong. “With love and patience everybody is able to connect to one another.”
Free Mom Hugs also had a booth, giving away some free hugs to anyone needed one: young people rejected by their families, parents trying to connect with their kids. The group started in 2014 when a self-described “midwestern Christian mom” did not handle her son’s coming out very well. She heard heartbreaking stories from young people rejected by their families. The group now has chapters in all 50 states.
Visit https://freemomhugs.org/
Although the crowd was not as big as Homecoming it was engaged and having fun.
Tabitha Bowman of Mama’s Cozies, said she was “doing okay,” with sales. The food trucks seemed to be busy, and the kids kept busy with chalking the streets.
The Belonging Committee is a Town of Fairhaven committee that meets the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and volunteers are welcome.
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- David Velasco Bermudez (SEATED), a Stonewall Rebellion Veteran, poses for the local free sheet with his husband, Bob Isadore, at Fairhaven’s Got Pride in the center of town on 6/28/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Logan Ponte is dressed up in classic rainbow style for her very first Pride event with mom, Katie, at Fairhaven’s Got Pride in the center of town on 6/28/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- ToniAnne Wong, aka Toni Lopreno, tells her story during Fairhaven’s Got Pride in the center of town on 6/28/26. Photo by Beth David
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- Miss Academia gives the heart sign during her performance at Fairhaven’s Got Pride in the center of town on 6/28/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Tabitha Bowman of Mama’s Cozies works on one of her creations at Fairhaven’s Got Pride in the center of town on 6/28/26. Photo by Beth David.
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