Mayor Peter Marchetti thanked Councilors Alisa Costa and Peter White and School Committee member William Garrity for their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community at Saturday's kick off at City Hall.
Greylock Federal Credit Union President and CEO John Bissell holds a certificate naming the credit union as the 2025 Community Partner of the Year.
Mayor Peter Marchetti delivers a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month.
Berkshire Pride President Michael Taylor says the City Council's declaration of Pittsfield as sanctuary for gender diverse people was a 'statement of values.'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Despite the rain outside, council chambers were filled with unapologetic joy on Saturday as the city kicked off Pride Month.
"It's such an honor to stand with you all as we begin a month dedicated to celebration, reflection, and unapologetic joy in who we are and how we show up in this world," said Michael Taylor, president of Berkshire Pride.
Taylor said, "we know visibility alone is not safety" and that one of the most powerful affirmations of inclusion to date was on March 11, when the City Council voted unanimously to declare Pittsfield a sanctuary for transgender and gender diverse individuals.
"I'm going to say that again, Pittsfield is now a sanctuary, and I don't believe that to be simply a symbolic gesture, but a statement of our values. That the city stands for dignity, equity, and safety for everyone. Liberty and justice for all, if you may," he said.
"In a time when trans rights are relentlessly under attack across this country, our community chose protection and it chose humanity. And so I will leave it at this: That true sanctuary is not just a designation. It is not just a piece of paper, it's a commitment. So those values must be defended again, not just on paper, but in practice. I want to take a moment to recognize the bravery it takes to simply be yourself in a world that too often tells you not to be."
Mayor Peter Marchetti delivered a proclamation, saying, "this one becomes very personal" because he gets to walk through the doors of the corner office every day and "Be the person that I am without having to hide."
Taylor explained that when you have laws, headlines, and "even your local bigot that comes to the open mic at City Council" telling the LGBTQ+ community not to have pride, it takes courage.
"Pride is not just a party. It's a promise, it's a protest. It always will be," he said.
"And oftentimes, it's a lifeline, so we can recognize our trailblazers who paved the way for us to be here today, and we can continue to fight every single day like we are and continue to show up."
Marchetti pointed out that he has to sit right next to the open mic stand as hateful comments are being made and said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."
During the kickoff, Greylock Federal Credit Union was recognized as the 2025 Community Partner of the Year for its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. The bank co-developed a Trans Work Readiness Program offering monthly financial coaching sessions in English and Spanish, engaged in Safe Spaces training, and sponsors the Pride Festival and Next Gen Youth Pride events.
"Greylock Federal Credit Union has established itself as one of Berkshire Pride's most deeply integrated partners, offering financial resources, program support, and public advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community," Taylor said.
"Their consistent involvement demonstrates both institutional commitment and innovation and equity-centered community work."
Greylock's President and CEO John Bissell explained that the partnership with Berkshire Pride, Seeing Rainbows, and other allies has opened "our eyes and hearts to the need for greater financial access across all of the communities that we serve."
"As we have worked hard at Greylock for the past decade to become more open, more welcoming, more able to serve people of every gender identity, of every race and ethnicity, we've learned that prioritizing equity and inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it's also the key to building a strong, sustainable business," he said.
"Thanks to all of that work, our growth over the past decade has advanced and accelerated to where we're now welcoming 300 new members to the credit union every month from all walks of life, from every community, from all backgrounds."
He reported that the credit union now has 105,000 members and that growth helps it support this kind of programming. Last year alone, Greylock was able to fund more than $700,000 directly into local nonprofits.
"We remain humble in this work. We can always do better. We're always open to learning, and you have my commitment that we will continue to be an ally with Berkshire Pride, with all of you, in every step of the journey toward a stronger, more inclusive community," Bissell said.
Throughout the month of June, there are several events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, including a festival, "Rainbow Run," dance parties, and more.
"This past year, we added new programs focused on youth engagement, strength, visibility, and education for allies in the workplaces," Taylor reported.
"We deepened our partnerships, we built new coalitions, and continue to show up for our community, with our community, and since January alone, we've integrated North Adams Pride, Drag Story Hour, and introduced Lee Pride."
Since its founding in 2021, he said, North Adams Pride has been a "vibrant" force, and together, they will work to unify resources, expand programming, and continue to uplift the community in northern Berkshire towns. They are also welcoming a Berkshire chapter of Drag Story Hour.
"With its unique mission of fostering literacy and imagination while celebrating diversity, this initiative brings joyful and affirming experiences to the youth and families across the region," Taylor explained.
"And lastly, in alignment with our commitment to broaden our representation and inclusion, we are excited to announce Lee Pride. This new initiative focuses on serving the community in Lee and surrounding areas through fostering connections and events, and our first inaugural event is Saturday, June 14."
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