EDGE Miami

Massachusetts Youth Pride is a one day annual festival that celebrates the year-round commitment of diversity of youth within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This year’s festival featured live entertainment and vendors for all ages.

Pridelines Youth Services of Miami recently received a $17,500 grant from The Miami Foundation’s GLBT Community Projects Fund for the David Bohnett CyberCenter and Drop-In Center operations.

As Raquel Blake, the fabulous drag queen who emceed the 15th annual Massachusetts Youth Pride festival, took to the stage May 9 to kick off the day’s festivities at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, the clouds that hung ominously in the air for much of the morning let loose a light rain shower. All around the bandstand umbrellas began popping up throughout the crowd, but the estimated 4000 to 5000 attendees mostly stayed put, willing to brave the rain to celebrate Youth Pride. Said Blake, "It’s a little cloudy, but I think we can manage to put a little rainbow up in the sky, can’t we?" Judging from the cheers that rang out from the crowd it was clear that most everyone agreed.