Moving Forward… Proud, Strong, United

The 2013 theme, “Moving Forward…Proud, Strong, United,” was created by the Boston Pride Committee to acknowledge the accomplishments the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has achieved while acknowledging that there is more work to be done.

Striding down Tremont Street in a dark blue t-shirt that read #BETRUE, Jason Collins joined his former Stanford University college roommate Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, as they marched in the 2013 Pride Parade. Collins had recently become the first active professional athlete to come out as a gay man. He seemed embarrassed by the roars of approval as he walked next to Kennedy. Collins had previously stated that he “had gone through years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie.”

Mayor Menino, who had announced he would not seek re-election, was unable to march, as his legs no longer permitted him to cover the route. Bay Windows reported that over 750 people held signs saying “Thank You, Mayor Menino”.

This was the first Pride after the Boston Marathon bombing. Both Massachusetts US senators posed for a picture with a hero from that day, Carlos Arredondo, who had assisted wounded victims on Boylston Street.

New to Boston Pride this year is the first “Pride Night at Fenway Park” This is the first time ever that an MLB team put together an official LGBT event.

Parade Marshals

Grand Marshal– Mayor Thomas Menino
Honorary Marshal – Jeanne Manford

Festival/Concert Entertainers

Headliner, Karmin; along with DJ Aga, Houston Bernard, The Genki Spark, ZHE, Rachel Sage, Shockolday and Kwanza Jones. Guest Hosts: Jim Clerkin of KISS 108 and Fast Freddy of Mix 104.1

Block Party DJs

Back Bay Block Party: DJ Abel with opener DJ Aga
JP Block Party: DJ Jodi with performances by Zili Misik, Kristen Ford and Chemical 13, The Dogs n Drag Show