By Courtney Young

Rainbow banners billowing in the wind, glittered pennants shimmering in the sun, cosmic-colored ice cream glistening in the hands of children, and the vibrant, eccentric stylings of LGBTQ+ identifiers and allies all gather in Union Square on Saturday night in Somerville for the 2nd Annual Big Gay Dance Party. While some attendees have come from other cities, the music draws hundreds of locals toward Union Square, making Saturday night a huge success for Somerville and the LGBTQ+ community.

Families of all identified pronouns, sexualities, and sexual orientations come together to dance with one another; celebrating each other, life, and the freedom to be who we all truly are. Those who do not identify as LGBTQ+ are always encouraged to come and support their community at events like the Big Gay Dance Party, which also serves to educate the public on different ways of familiarizing themselves with the community.

Tabled around the dance floor were organizations like BAGLY (Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth), the BCCR (Boston Area Rape Crisis Center), the Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), selling student-made pride T-shirts. More organizations included RESPOND, Inc., The Somerville Department of Health and Human Services/LGBTQ commission, and the Cambridge Health Alliance & Massachusetts Alliance for Portuguese Speakers.

These efforts to be visible to the public while offering free and confidential services like counseling, health education, and SID testing all support the growing and diverse community in Somerville, as well as provide substantial support to those who are forming their individual identities.

For someone unfamiliar with the LGBTQ+ community, getting involved and becoming an ally can seem a bit daunting. We ask ourselves, “Are we saying the right things?” “Are we asking the right things?”–  but the Big Gay Dance Party did a phenomenal job making this a welcoming, inviting and warm experience for all curious persons to know more about the LGBTQ+ community and what it means to be an ally, or even begin to explore your own identity. For example, “Ask Me My Pronouns” printed on a pin at BAGLY’s table suggests that we should never assume one’s sexual orientation, gender, or preferred pronoun, but instead, ask someone what they identify as.

Sarah Eustis, a history teacher and GSA club faculty advisor at Somerville High School, stands with her students in the LGBTQ+ community of Somerville High School. “Accessing outside events, like the Big Gay Dance party, is so important for Somerville students,” she states. “This issue of accessibility is so pressing for queer students because not all of them feel safe or comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences with their families or those who they live with.” Eustis holds a conviction to be out and proud about being queer, and to normalize discussions about questioning gender and sexuality norms.

JP Delgado Galdamez and Sham Payne, two performers who are both very active in the Drag community of Somervile and surrounding areas, set Union Square on fire with two solo performances and one joint act. Leaving the crowd in standing ovation, Galdamez explains what it means to a true queen within the drag community ever since her journey in El Salvador started at 18 years old.

“My first queer community was a LGBTQ group at a non-catholic Christian church,” she states. “Since then, I have learned that drag is truly about being the best version of yourself. People have the idea about queens being catty and shady, [which can sometimes be true], but when it comes to supporting each other, drag is truly a sisterhood.” As an Outreach and Education Associate for The Network/La Red, a local non-profit that supports LGBQ/T survivors of partner abuse, Galdamez appreciates that drag allows for community building with one another, as well as giving drag performers a platform to support members of our communities. As in any community, these outlets are essential for building a network of support.

“What makes Somerville unique is the amount of support we have here in the LGBTQ+ community, and how much we are encouraged to come out and celebrate our individuality,” says A. James, a queer who does not yet know what they feel most comfortable identifying as. “It’s been a journey for me, but living in Somerville has made it one of love, strength, and even excitement.”

Although not as socially entertaining as the Big Gay Dance Party, searching and inquiring about the organizations listed above can inform you on how to get involved and support your local community as either an ally or a LGBTQ+ identifier.

 
~Photos by Courtney Young