Brighton names Eric Vaughn Johnson 2026 Pride honoree, highlights OFC’s community programs

William W. “Bill” Maley, Brighton town supervisor, presented a proclamation signed "this July 2026" naming Eric Vaughn Johnson as Brighton’s 2026 Pride honoree at a town Pride celebration.

Maley opened the event with a welcome, a pledge of allegiance and a land acknowledgement recognizing the Haudenosaunee/Onondaga peoples as the traditional custodians of the land. He introduced town board members and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory) board member Mark Kukanovich before calling Johnson to the podium.

The proclamation read by Maley praised the LGBTQIA+ community’s contributions to culture and civil rights and formally recognized Johnson’s work with OFC Creations Theatre. "We cannot remain silent when trans students are prevented from participating in sports," Maley said, adding that the town would "stand up against this kind of oppression" with both words and actions.

Eric Vaughn Johnson, introduced by Maley as the founder, executive director and artistic director of OFC Creations Theatre, accepted the honor and described OFC’s local work. He said OFC made Brighton its home in 2020 and that the organization’s staff has grown to more than 70 employees. Johnson highlighted inclusion measures at OFC — an anti-bullying policy, three gender-neutral restrooms and a certified mental-health first responder on staff — and said the most important part of OFC’s work "may never make a headline": creating a safe space for young people.

Johnson also described OFC’s summer programming: the company is running three camp locations (the Kodak Center, Nazareth University and its Winton Place facility) and will welcome more than 3,000 students this summer who will stage roughly 29 musical-theater productions. He credited community support for helping OFC expand programming and staff.

Johnson introduced two OFC students, Dioni Major and Rosemary Lapreem, who performed "Walking on Sunshine" during the program. Maley praised the performers and reiterated Brighton’s invitation to residents, employees and volunteers to march with the town in the Pride parade next Saturday and to attend the picnic the following day.

Maley also thanked Dr. Miriam Moore, Brighton’s chief diversity officer, for organizing the event, invited attendees to an atrium ceremony to unfurl Brighton’s Pride flag, and said Lucia’s ice cream would be served after the event. The presentation concluded with a group photo and a call for attendees to join outdoor activities.

The town’s proclamation and Johnson’s remarks highlight local arts programming and the role of municipal events in recognizing community organizations; no formal council votes or policy changes were recorded during the ceremony.