Pride Weekend in Asbury Park
Pople: We are not losing our rights and we will not sit around passively as our equality erodes around us
The flags were raised in unison shortly after 5 p.m. Friday to welcome Pride.
And although the 26th Annual NJ Pride Celebration will be held Sunday, the Asbury Park community came together to usher in the signature state event that celebrates not only the LGBTQ community but diversity and acceptance.
Led by Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, the symbolic ceremony was in Bradley Park, where Sunday’s post parade festival will be held.
Quinn, who said they expect for the first time 
in at least 8 years protesters at the event.
“The political conversation nationally absolutely affects us locally,” Quinn [at right] said. “But Asbury Park continues on the forefront of gay rights. I think many of you know that back in 2004, we place [in the state] to do marriage equality even at the risk of our city clerk going to jail.”
The Pride Celebration is the largest LGBTQ festival in the state, drawing over 35,000 attendees along with local, state and federal elected officials, including in year’s past 
Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone and Senator Cory Booker [at right].
The event is produced by Jersey Pride and its President Laura Pople, who said New Jersey was the fifth state in the nation to pass a law against sexual discrimination. She was among the early pioneers who founded the all-volunteer grassroots organization.
“We said, it is crazy if we are going across the river to Philadelphia and across the river to New York, we need Pride in our own state,” she said.
In explaining why they chose Asbury Park, Pople 
[at right] said, “We wanted something that was quintessentially New Jersey. We wanted someplace that had an incredibly vibrant LGBTQ community [one that was identified within a town], We wanted a town that was going to be excited to work with us. The choice was obvious.”
Pople said Pride grew 140 percent in every registrant category this year.
“This year with what is going on in Washington, people want to be here,” Pople said. “I think it’s more important than ever that this event is held in order to bring the community together in support of all aspects of the community. Part of what we, as an 
LGBTQ organization do is to reach out to define our commonalities in order to work together. It’s important to build the ties among the progressive community. This weekend, we are bringing that community together to empower people.”
NJ Pride kicks off at noon from Asbury Park’s City Hall, located at 1 Municipal Plaza. The parade traverses down Cookman Avenue to Grand Avenue before turning onto Sunset Avenue to the festival grounds at Ocean Avenue.
Held rain or shine, the festival features headlining performers like Reina, Chix Appeal, Virago, Leonardo Martinez, Grapefruit Sound Lab, Jamie LeRose, and the Paper Mill Playhouse Choir.
This year over 150 artisans, crafters, exhibits, 
and organizations will be featured among the ‘Family Zone’ rides and diverse food court until 7 p.m.
Sunday’s event will be a precursor to its sister event – The Equality March for Unity & Pride to be held June 11 in Washington, DC, Pople said.
“It’s very exciting to leading that because it’s part of that broader show of resistance that we are not going back in the closet,” Pople said. “We are not losing our rights and we will not sit around passively as our equality erodes around us. The LGBTQ community is a microcosm of the community, be it heralding for Women’s Rights or Climate Change. This is our opportunity to share information, to resolve and take steps that protect the world we live in and want to live in.”
Pride events include the following –
Pride Brunch with Anita Buffem from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25.
Family Equality Rainbow Sock Hop from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. A donation of $10 is suggested.
An 8 p.m. Saturday screening of Joan Rivers: Piece of Work, a documentary following the iconic comedienne through her life and career.
The Asbury is located at 210 Fifth Avenue.
DIP Pool Party with Jared Conner and DJ Gabe Mazon kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Country Line Dancing will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
And DJ Hex Hector spins from 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m.
On Sunday, Tea Dance with DJ Shep Pettibone and DJ Hex Hector runs poolside from 5 to 10 p.m.
And Karaoke with Nick Peters begins at 9 p.m.
Paradise is located at 101 Asbury Avenue at Ocean Avenue.
Drag Me To Pride Blacklight Dance Party sets off at 8 p.m. Saturday. Hosted by Drag Queen Pissi Myles, the lineup of talent includesAnita Buffem, Cyannie Lopez, Franchesca St. Cartier and Zsa Zsa St.James. Admission is free.
Sara Mo returns with her annual Gender Bender LGBTQ Pride Party 5 p.m. Sunday, featuring DJ Tyler Valentine. Suggested donation to benefit Garden State Equality is $10.
The House is located at 572 Cookman Ave.
Stop by anytime after 11 a.m. for Pride Tea, featuring DJs Mick Hale and Stanley Stylez, male and female dancers and the outside grill. Parking is free.
Georgies is located at 810 Fifth Ave.
For more information about the 26th Annual Jersey Pride, visit the website or Facebook page.
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