Message from Councilmember Ellen Zimmerman | June 6, 2025
Last night, our community gathered once again on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green for our annual “Pride in the Park” celebration.
Under perfect spring weather, Scotch Plains raised the Pride flag at town hall and enjoyed two hours of live music, crafts, food and treats, as we met with community groups and other organizations that were eager to be part of the festivities.
Every June, Scotch Plains is proud to join in a kaleidoscope of color, music and celebration as LGBTQ+ residents, as well as family and friends, mark Pride Month at the green on Park Avenue.
Alongside all the festivities is a truth that we must not forget: Pride Month is not simply a celebration. It is a vital reminder of the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice among many of our friends and neighbors throughout Scotch Plains.
Pride Month traces its roots to the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, when LGBTQ+ patrons of a New York City bar stood up against police harassment. That act of defiance sparked a movement that has since challenged oppressive laws and inspired generations.
Scotch Plains is proud to commemorate that history and celebrate the progress that has been made over the past five decades. Pride Month is also a call to action, as many still struggle for acceptance.
One of the main reasons that Scotch Plains marks Pride Month is the importance of visibility. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, especially the youth in our community, isolation and stigma can be overwhelming and tragically unfair.
According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth are at a significantly higher risk for depression and suicide compared to their peers. Seeing their identities celebrated, not just tolerated, can be a lifeline. Pride Month sends a powerful message: you are not alone, and you are worthy of love and respect.
Pride Month also served as an important platform for local advocacy. Hate crimes and discrimination remain serious threats. Pride Month galvanizes the Scotch Plains community to push back, raise awareness, and demand change from policymakers at all levels of government.
While some of our current national leaders may disagree, celebrating diversity is essential, fostering empathy, creativity, and resilience. It challenges us to confront our biases and build a more welcoming world.
Communities – such as Scotch Plains – that embrace Pride are not just signaling support—they are investing in a culture where everyone can thrive. Our annual celebration underscores that we all have voices that are strong and matter.
In 2025, Pride Month is as urgent as ever. Together, we fight for a future where everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify, can live openly and authentically.
Let’s continue to stand together in the spirit of love and acceptance.
