News  MPS staff turn out for Pride Day event

More than 120 Massachusetts Probation Service staff from across the state turned out for the Fourth Annual "Celebrating Pride: An MPS Annual Event," which featured a talk by a participant of the historic Stonewall Uprising, an event credited for "serving as a catalyst for the modern gay rights movement." The MPS celebration, which was planned by the LGBTQIA+ and MPS Training Team, took place Friday at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC).

The Stonewall Uprising is described as a "series of spontaneous demonstrations by the LGBTQ+ community" in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.

David Velasco Bermudez, and his husband, Bob Isadore, both now in their 80's and living on Cape Cod, joined the celebration via Zoom.

"There was a tremendous amount of discrimination which unfortunately, the younger generation don't quite get. For instance, it was illegal to serve gays and lesbians alcoholic beverages. People were either picked up or arrested for being gay. Their names were put in the paper or they lost their jobs, thrown out of their apartments, their families did not understand. It was a very turbulent time....The level of harassment was way beyond words," Mr. Bermudez said.

"We are truly grateful that he and Bob were willing to share their powerful stories of growing up as gay men in New York City and offer their personal perspectives on such an important moment in LGBTQIA+ history. It was an honor to hear their stories and celebrate Pride together," said Julie Grady, MPS Training Division Administrative Coordinator II and a key organizer of the event.

The MPS celebration featured rainbow-themed decorations and treats, a photo both, trivia, and a "Pride Blooms Here" tree art piece on the wall accompanied by a sign that encouraged attendees to write on a Post-it note about "what pride means to you, a word of affirmation, a message of support, or something that inspires you."

"It was one of the best Pride celebrations yet," said Ms. Grady.