PORTSMOUTH- AppalAction is ready to announce showtime on their first ever Haunted Pride in Spartan Stadium this month, an extension of the regularly scheduled Portsmouth Pride event that takes place in summer.

Thousands have enjoyed and participated in the Portsmouth Pride events, which celebrate the LGBTQ+ community through music, performance, speeches, and more.

According to the group, the acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, which groups together a minority populous in solidarity, as they work to eradicate prejudice and misconception about their identities.

“Portsmouth Pride 2023 was a success. The pride committee originally planned a Haunted Pride close to Halloween to change things up. However, we recognized the expectation and excitement of our annual event in June and felt it was important to continue that tradition,” co-organizer of Portsmouth Pride Justin Delong said after the last event. “It is always great to see familiar and new faces each year to celebrate the diversity in our community. Events like Portsmouth Pride create a safe, welcoming family friendly environment that seeks to share love with all in our community.”

The pride event has been ongoing since 2018 and has welcomed thousands over its time to march in the parade and gather at the park to listen to music, hear from speakers, and get a glimpse into the local LGBTQ+ community.

“Portsmouth Pride was expected to be a small event to show visibility in the community. Attendance was beyond expectations and created a space for queer people to come and feel loved and embraced by their community,” DeLong said. “Pride seems to have evolved from a simple gathering and celebration of support to creating a culture of inclusivity within the city itself. People and businesses within the city are beginning to display support during pride month. The city nondiscrimination ordinance was sparked by the pride movement.”

The popularity of the event has caused the group to expand and also include a Halloween event.

The event will include live music by Mikey Mike and the Big Unit, a costume contest, drag show, and light show. DJ services are being provided by BJ Cantrell. Community organizations and food vendors will also be present. The group suggests an 18 and older crowd but will allow those under 18 if accompanied by an adult.

“This is our first Halloween pride event, and we have no expectations as to how the turnout will be,” DeLong said. “We didn’t know what to expect for the first Portsmouth Pride event and was excited to see the amazing turnout for that event! Come join us and have some fun! We decided that celebrating Halloween with a pride event will be unique as we celebrate a holiday rooted in creativity and fun! It’s a chance for people to dress up in costumes, enjoy great music and watch a fantastic drag show!”

While AppalAction is hosting the event, it was founded by DeLong and Portsmouth Welcoming Community.

“Portsmouth Pride was created by the local Community of Christ congregation in Portsmouth. One of the Enduring Principles of Community of Christ is the ‘Worth of All Persons.’ Our congregation developed out of that principle to create a safe, welcoming and loving space for worship for queer folks in our community. It was important for us to take that message publicly through the Portsmouth Pride Festival,” DeLong said. “As a Community of Christ minister and member of the queer community, it’s important to me that faith leaders publicly embrace all of God’s children and show them the love they deserve. Throughout scripture we are counseled to love our neighbor. That love comes with no restrictions.”

Portsmouth Pride has grown over the years and has become something DeLong says he fiercely protects, because of what it means to people who often feel like they have nowhere else to turn.

“We host pride because it is important to ensure that all within our community are valued, loved and supported,” DeLong claimed. “Queer people often face much difficulty as they try to navigate life in their communities. This burden often causes feelings of shame, worthlessness and isolation. We want to honor every queer person in our community and ensure they feel heard and welcomed just as they are.”

Haunted Pride will be at Spartan Stadium on October 21, between 5 and 10 p.m.

Reach Joseph Pratt at (740) 353-3101, by email at [email protected], © 2023 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved.