Greater Lowell Pride draws attendees in rain; interviews highlight community, safety and animal-adoption presence

Greater Lowell Pride 2025 proceeded in the rain in downtown Lowell, Massachusetts, with attendees saying the event offered visibility, community and a space to support LGBTQ people and families.

Julie Vick, a member of the Lowell Telemedia Center who recorded interviews at the event, said participants came “for solidarity, for community, to celebrate our queer identity.” The recorded interviews feature a range of attendees describing why they attended and what Pride means to them.

The event combined celebration and a reminder of ongoing struggles. Skyler, a transgender attendee, said they came to feel the support of other LGBTQ people and to be visibly themselves: “I haven't been able to be sort of visibly, transgender. I consider my transition complete, so I like coming to … events so I can be around other, like, LGBTQ folks and just feel, like, the family vibe that I got when I started coming out, like, 2 decades ago.” Becca, identified as Skyler’s partner, said she attended “to support Skyler” and others at the event.

Other interviewees emphasized Pride as both a celebration and a protest. Roland, who described having served in the military during the era of “don't ask, don't tell,” said Pride is “about being proud of who you are and no longer having to hide,” and added that Pride events should preserve the protest origins of the movement: “Pride, of course, it's a celebration, but, you know, it's also a protest. It started as a protest.”

Speakers discussed values attendees should practice in the community. One participant named radical empathy: “Radical empathy. Like, the empathy is definitely something that's lacking in our country.” Others said Pride provides a public safe space to be visible, hold hands and wear flags without retreating to private spaces.

The Lowell Humane Society attended and brought animals for adoption. Apple, identified as the volunteer coordinator for the Lowell Humane Society, said she has worked with the organization for about two years and had previously volunteered: “I've been working for them for about 2 years now, and I was a volunteer before that. So altogether, almost 10 years.” She introduced several animals at the event and said the organization is a “safe spot for anybody” regardless of identity: “Love is love, and we all love the animals.” Apple said some animals — described on camera as about three months old or four months old — would be available for adoption in the coming weeks.

Several younger attendees described Pride as a place to explore sexual orientation and gender identity without pressure. One young participant said it is “completely okay. You don't have to know. Give it time. Don't rush it.” Another participant who created apparel to highlight Black trans people said visibility and creative expression are central to their work: “There’s not a lot of space for us. Even within our community, there's a lot of transphobia still within it. So really highlighting that we don't owe you anything.”

The recorded coverage included entertainers and community groups; one performer was introduced as Sasha Stone. Interview subjects repeatedly noted the weather did not deter attendance and that community presence in public spaces was meaningful.

The interviews do not record any formal actions by local government or policy decisions. They reflect personal experiences, local advocacy and community support shown at the Pride event.

Organizers and attendees said they hope the event’s visibility will continue to foster acceptance and safety, and they encouraged continued community support for LGBTQ people and families.