The mission of Ridgefield CT Pride is to foster a sense of belonging for our LGBTQ+ community members and their families by educating, promoting awareness and understanding, increasing visibility, and celebrating our LGBTQ+ community members.
ABOUT
Ridgefield CT Pride is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was created in 2019 under the umbrella of the Friends of Ridgefield Community Programs. Ridgefield CT Pride offers both periodic and ongoing support to the community through 2 separate monthly peer-led support groups, one for caregivers, friends and loved ones of LGBTQ+ individuals (run in partnership with PFLAG Waterbury) and a second group for LGBTQ+ youth which serve the CT and NY communities. We run periodic meet-ups for LGBTQ+ youth and others for LGBTQ+ adults and Caregivers to provide opportunities for in-person socialization and support in a safe environment. As part of our outreach effort we run an annual Pride in the Park event which attracts over 500 attendees, organize an annual Progress Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, painted a Progress Pride Crosswalk in a prominent town location, and printed 8 large banners which hang annually on town lampposts on Main Street and Danbury Road (Rt 35) as part of the Ridgefield Arts Council Lamppost Banner Project which help raise visibility and sent a message that Ridgefield sees and cares about our LGBTQ+ community. We are currently working on an “All Are Welcome” campaign for businesses and institutions which would provide training and support about inclusive business practices and offer a safe-space decal to businesses which sign a statement of support. There would also be an optional component which would help companies conduct self-evaluations and implement institutional changes. We are also partnering with the Ridgefield Historical Society on a 2+ year Oral History Project. The goals of the Oral History Project are to record, preserve, and share Ridgefield LGBTQIA+ stories, which are underrepresented in the Ridgefield Historical Society’s collection; to foster intergenerational conversation; and increase civic pride and awareness. Finally, we field numerous calls to advocate for all-gender signage, policies and practices in town buildings and organizations in an effort to improve the climate for the queer community.
