It’s Time to Paint the Town Rainbow: Haddon Township Pride 2023 Is Here!
Interested in sponsoring HT Pride 2024?
Welcome to HT Pride, where love and unity take center stage!
Join us as we paint the town with rainbows and revel in the spirit of #HTPride in 2024. Show your support and excitement on social media with #HTPride and tag us @haddontownshipequityinitiative.
In our continuous mission to celebrate diversity and foster inclusion, we're also participating in numerous community events. For more details, head over to our Events page.
We are thrilled to host the 3rd annual Haddon Township Pride Parade + Events (HT PRIDE) in celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our theme for 2023:
“Educate + Celebrate!”
We are committed to normalizing LGBTQIA+ families, combating stereotypes, recognizing history, and celebrating progress in LGBTQIA+ rights. Our goal is to build confidence in our LGBTQIA+ youth and support businesses as they create more inclusive organizations for their employees and customers. To achieve these goals, we have created a variety of events to create connection, show support, and share resources.
HT PRIDE PARADE + AFTER PARTY sponsored by Cooper University Healthcare
THURSDAY OCTOBER 5TH @ 6PM
We invite you to join us for the HT PRIDE PARADE + AFTER PARTY sponsored by Cooper University Healthcare on Thursday, October 5th from 6-10 p.m. on Haddon Avenue. The parade will feature LGBTQIA+ and LGBTQIA+-friendly performers, organizations, and community volunteers to cultivate another unforgettable HT PRIDE parade experience. The parade begins at the corner of Crystal Lake and Haddon Avenues, and ends with music, entertainment, dancing, food, and drinks at Haddon Square.
HT PRIDE + PROGRESS COMMUNITY NIGHT sponsored by The JFK Living Team
FRIDAY OCTOBER 6TH @ 5PM
On Friday, October 6th, join us for the HT PRIDE + PROGRESS COMMUNITY NIGHT sponsored by The JFK Living Team from 5:00-9:30 p.m. at Haddon Square. The community and beyond are invited to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride in all forms. Celebrate the progress made by LGBTQIA+ trailblazers and learn about LGBTQIA+ history, while joined by local LGBTQIA+-friendly vendors and allies. Featured exclusively at the Community Night are Education and Celebration resources, Pride Quizzo, performances by Iris Spectre, Drag Queen Lip Sync Battles, and more!
HT Pride 2022 Highlights
In 2022, there were over...
9,000
attendees at the Parade;
1,000
participants in the Parade;
50
Community, business, and nonprofit groups who walked in the Parade;
150
volunteers who supported all three days of events;
600
attendees at the Pride local nonprofit and healthcare Community Night;
30
organizations at the Pride Community Night;
25
local artists and vendors at the Pride Fest;
2,500
customers and participants in corporate and local business the Pride Fest;
50
sponsors;
and 20
Steering Committee members who coordinated the events.
Testimonials
River Ziener, Restaurant Manager, HT Pride Volunteer
“All of you created a space where I, and many others, could be myself, where I could be open, where my pronouns were not just respected but celebrated. At the beginning of the year, before the planning of pride started, I was researching cities with a strong queer community so I could move. I thought it would be easier to show up in a new city... Everything I was looking for is all around me. I never imagined such a strong allyship is so close to home. I am incredibly proud of who I am and to be a part of this community. I no longer want to move away and would like to help give the community the love and acceptance it’s given to me because of all of you.”
Isis Williams, Executive Director, Event Planner, and President of HTEI
“They say small towns are where change happens and we believe that Haddon Township has created positive momentum for not only our LGBTQIA+ community, but the community as a whole. While there is much more work to be done to combat stereotypes and fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, it’s critical that we simply show up for our LGBTQIA+ community members - literally and figuratively. In doing so, we are affirming humanity and saving lives.”
Anthony Fitzpatrick, Former Principal, Haddon Township School District, HT Pride Volunteer
“The impact of Haddon Township Pride was profound. Our small town has shown that the result of community togetherness and support is a simple word . . . JOY! People from all over and of all ages came out to support the LGBTQA+ community through celebration, conversation, and learning. Having grown up in Haddon Township, this event was unthinkable just a few short years ago. The efforts of this town and the organizers and sponsors proves that inclusive change can happen; and everyone can share in the joy and love. It was so powerful!”
Michele Messer, School Psychologist at the School District of Philadelphia, Co-Founder & Vice President of HTEI
“Allowing our youth to unfold in a community that gives them space to do so, without judgment and shame was my hope. As a parent of a gay teen, I watched my child stand in a place of power and agency. It gives me hope to know that our youth sees that we can work from a place of love and create the world in which we want to live.”
2022 Photo & Video Credit
Photo Credit to Dinko Mitic (Photo file names begin with "1A7A6..."), BeauMonde Originals (@beaumondeoriginals, cathie@beaumondeoriginals.com, Venmo @Cathie-Berrey, Photo file names begin with "BeauMonde Originals, Philadelphia Commercial Photography..."), Rylan Lott Photography (@rylott_photos, https://rylanlottphotographyllc.pic-time.com/-haddontownshippride2022/gallery, Photo file names begin with "Haddon Township Pride Parade 2022-..."), Kate Ferraro Photography (@kateferrarophotography, Photo file names begin with "KF...").
All video Credits to Kyle Ingram at FI Media & Consulting (@iamkingram).
All permissions to use these images are held by the photographers and videographers and may not be published or printed without express written permission. When reviewing a photo to determine the source, please click the "Info" button to view the file name associated with the photographers noted above. Contact the photographer or videographer directly, info@htpride.com or via https://www.htpride.com/about-us/contact for more information. Please tag the appropriate photographer or videographer when using or sharing these files. If you are uncertain about the source of a photograph, please inquire before resharing.
The Haddon Township Pride Parade & Events are public events hosted by the Haddon Township Equity Initiative (the “Organization”) and co-sponsored by Haddon Township. These are public events and the image and likeness of participants (including, without limitation, the image and likeness of minor children) may be recorded, photographed, videotaped, or otherwise captured or collected for non-commercial editorial use. The Organization does not represent or warrant that any measures or actions will be taken to prevent, prohibit, or otherwise limit such collection for publication, distribution, or any other commercial use (each, a “Prohibited Use”). Any claim alleging such Prohibited Use shall be brought by you against the individual, organization, or entity engaging in such Prohibited Use. The Organization expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any third party’s Prohibited Use and you agree that you shall have no cause of action against the Organization airing therefrom.