Proud of who they are

Newington Pride promotes inclusion

By Mark Jahne

Editor

They identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or otherwise part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They want to be accepted by and engaged in this town like everyone else.

Newington Pride was formed in September 2024. Its motto is “here from the start, here to stay.”

Members represent a wide variety of careers including technical writer, health care billing and coding, educator, retired state Department of Children and Families employee, domestic violence and survivor advocacy, legislative staffer and more.

Members of Newington Pride include from left, Matt Plourd, Cait Cram and Autumn Cram.. Phoo by Mark Jahne

Its website states that the organization is “made up of youth, parents, business owners and neighbors from all walks of life. Newington Pride is a grassroots group committed to promoting dialogue, education and public awareness, and ensuring the visibility, safety, wellbeing and empowerment of our town’s LGBTQIA+ community.”

“At the time it was going to be a town-level committee,” Matt Plourd said. “We decided it would be best if we did this as a community organization.”

He is a member of Newington Pride and serves on the Town Council. Twenty people expressed interest and the group was formed.

“It’s really about carving out a space in Newington for LGBTQ folks,” member Autumn Cram said.

“We want to provide people with a space to amplify their own voices,” Plourd added.

They hold various events including meetups and successfully advocated for the multi-colored Pride flag to be raised over Town Hall one day each year.

The Newington Pride booth at the 2025 Life Be In It Extravaganza was staffed by, from left, Matt Plourd, Sean Vasi and Mary Nedela. Photo by Mark Jahne

“We’ve talked a lot about visibility,” Plourd said. “People have been friendly and supportive.”

“We’ve done a lot of events now,” Kathy Gonzalez added.

She said the group strives to create “a space where people can be themselves.” Their signature event is an annual Pride Day celebration at Churchill Park.

Like Plourd, Gonzalez also serves on the Town Council.

They also make a point to participate in community events so that people can they see their involvement and learn more if they wish. Newington Pride has been represented at such events as the Life Be In It Extravaganza and the annual Waterfall Festival.

“We’ve had meetups at local restaurants. We also hold a large Pride Month event. Hundreds of people were there,” Cram said.

“We call that Pride in the Park,” Liza Andrews said. “We want to create that visibility.”

These people have lived similar experiences and want a sense of security as they go about their daily lives. They are concerned about those who oppose, distrust or dislike them because they are deemed to be different.

Plourd said they did a lot of advocacy regarding gender-affirming care when Yale New Haven Hospital and the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center ceased this practice because of political pressure from the federal government. Those institutions have since resumed some of that care.

“Growing up as a queer person in town, I wish there was something like this when I was in high school,” he said.

Gonzalez talked about providing safe spaces and education for families.

Matt Plourd, Alyssa Hyatt, Lisa Andrews and Susan Reynolds give out Pride-related items and information regarding advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues at the 2025 Waterfall Festival. Photo by Lisa Brisson

“Parents of children may have some questions,” she said.

The group agrees that, for the most part, Newington is an inclusive community. But they frequently discuss issues related to intolerance and resistance to LGBTQIA+ people elsewhere in this state and around the country.

Plourd said that here in town attitudes are shifting and they feel welcome and able to contribute to the wider community while remaining true to who they are.

“We want to be welcoming to allies in our community. We all pull from our experiences and the people who we know … we’re really proud of what we’ve been able to build together,” he said.

Sue Reynolds said they are willing to volunteer because they feel comfortable doing so. They use their lived experiences to talk about issues of importance.

Cram, who identifies as transgender, has found life difficult at times. Being true to that identity “draws a lot of attention to myself just for existing.” NL

Newington Pride is a sponsored by the Health Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. For more information go to newingtonpride.org.