Last year, we were introduced to a promising new umbrella organization for Boston’s Pride festivities, named Boston Pride for the People (BP4P). Replacing the decades-old Boston Pride, which had been dismantled due to allegations that it ignored BIPOC and other groups, BP4P seemed to bring a wind of change for all LGBTQ+ people and allies.
However, some of us are still left out.
Since the parade takes place on a Saturday annually, observant Jews are prevented from attending. Last year, after discovering that this tradition hadn’t changed under BP4P and yet another Saturday parade is underway, I wrote a post, which led to a meeting between BP4P’s leadership and leaders of Greater Boston’s Jewish and LGBTQ+ organizations.
In that meeting, we discovered that many queer Jews have never been to the Pride Parade because they observe Shabbat. Moreover, no programs during the whole Pride Month represented Jews, despite the promises of an all-inclusive and welcoming new Pride vision.
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- We asked them to consider alternating the day of main events. BP4P leadership seemed willing to listen and exchange ideas. But, sadly, no change has occurred. They simply disappeared.Jan 17, 6:30 pm
As then head of cultural affairs at the Israeli Consulate, I helped to independently organize two Jewish-related events for the 2023 Pride Month, but no BP4P representative attended, and neither did the organization spread the word about them.
Recently, through its public announcements, I learned that Boston Pride 2024 will take place on a Saturday—again (June 8, 2024). What works for the biggest Pride marches in the world (New York Pride takes place on Sundays) apparently doesn’t work for Boston.
What would you suggest in order to make a change in Boston’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ culture to start including Jews?
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Amir Tadmor is an arts and culture professional and Jewish educator. He previously served as head of cultural affairs at the Consulate General of Israel to New England. Amir currently sits on the advisory board of Celebrity Series of Boston. Born and raised in a kibbutz in northern Israel, he now lives in Boston with his husband, Ido.