Head to the South Coast for more Pride

This weekend is the last hurrah for Boston Pride 2008, but the celebration continues on the South Coast the following weekend. On June 22 Southcoast Equality, an LGBT advocacy and community organization formed earlier this year, will hold greater New Bedford's first Pride event, an outdoor deck party at the Bristol Building on Purchase Street in New Bedford.

Bev Baccelli, a member of the Southcoast Equality steering committee, said the idea for a local Pride celebration came about after members of the group heard youth from the high school gay/straight alliance trying to arrange transportation to last month's Youth Pride in Boston; Southcoast Equality decided to plan something closer to home. In the past the city's LGBT community came together in times of crisis, such as the 2006 shootings at Puzzles Lounge and the marriage equality battles of the last few years, but Baccelli said the committee wanted to bring people together for something positive.

"We all deserve to celebrate gay Pride down here this year, so that's why we're doing it," said Baccelli.

The event will feature a barbecue, non-alcoholic drinks, and a DJ playing dance music.

"It's going to be a real family celebration, everyone's welcome, and it's free," Baccelli said.

South Coast Pride takes place June 22 from 5-9 p.m. on an outdoor deck at the Bristol Building, 752 Purchase Street, New Bedford. The event is free and open to all. For more information contact Southcoast Equality at 508.536.5991 or [email protected].