Annual LGBT festival and parade scheduled Sunday in Jersey City

Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 3:03 AM
By Summer Dawn Hortillosa / The Jersey Journal

?Do Ask, Do Tell!?

That?s the theme of the 11th annual Hudson Pride LGBT Festival and 2nd annual Parade to be held on Sunday in Jersey City, rescheduled from Aug. 27 when it was postponed because of Hurricane Irene.


LGBT festival-goers wave the rainbow flag at the event at Exchange Place in Jersey City last year.

This year, the event celebrates in part the repeal of the U.S. policy on homosexual, bisexual and transgender people serving in the military known as ?Don?t ask, don?t tell.? The festival, which is organized by Hudson Pride Connections Center, will feature live entertainment, food, raffles and fun for the entire community.


?We want both LGBT individuals and allies to march together,? said Executive Director Nancy Caamano.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St., Jersey City, where Grand Marshal Babs Casbar Siperstein, the first transgender woman to be part of the National Democratic Committee, will speak.

Church, youth and senior groups will join representatives from sponsors like Pint, Jersey City?s only gay bar, and local universities in the parade march down Montgomery Street to the festival at 1 Exchange Place.

Director of Operations Jonathan Lucas said he is thrilled to be celebrating his identity and lifestyle with people from all over Hudson County.

?It feels great. We?re like a microcosm of a larger society so it?s great to share that with the community and our allies,? he said.

?Pride is 365 days a year but on this one day, we have one big party to celebrate who we are,? said Caamano.

She also emphasized that the festival will bring attention to the center and the services it can provide.

?It?s great for the LGBT community to have something they can call their own and to have a home in Hudson and not have to leave to go into New York all the time,? she said. Caamano said that the group hopes to expand and start hosting activities throughout the county.

She also noted that this is the first year the festival, which was previously called ?Jersey City Pride,? will be known as ?Hudson County Pride.?

Both Caamano and Lucas said that they are excited about offering events for people who live outside Jersey City.

?We also want to try to broaden our types of support and outreach to other groups,? said Lucas, noting that the center recently hosted art exhibits, yoga and other events.

Hudson Pride Connections Center, on Jones Street in Jersey City, provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, as well as HIV positive people throughout New Jersey.

?The biggest message we want the community to know is that there?s a center that needs support all year.?

Following the parade, the festival will be held from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1 Exchange Place on the Downtown Jersey City waterfront.

The fun continues at the After-Pride Block Party which will be held at the Hard Grove Cafe, 319 Grove St., from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Admission is $10.

For more information and to see a full entertainment lineup, visit HudsonPride.org.

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Dante Alighieri Society plans Columbus Day parade in Jersey City on Sunday

Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 3:03 AM
By John Heinis/The Jersey Journal

The Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City will be painting the city red, white and green on Sunday.

The DASJC is sponsoring the Jersey City Columbus Day Parade, with the ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. A wreath will be placed at the Columbus Statue before High Mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Church at 344 6th St.

After mass, the parade will march down Newark Avenue onto Grove Street, before making its way to City Hall.

The parade will have an annual award ceremony to honor those who have had a ?distinguished career and selfless dedication to the citizens of Jersey City,? according to a press release written by Michael Ricciardone, the Vice President of the DASJC. The citizens to be acknowledged include new Sheriff Frank Schillari being honored as Grand Marshal, while Dr. Frank Rotella and Rachel Riccio will be recognized as the Italian Man and Woman of the Year, respectively.

Caren DeGise, wife of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, was voted the Hononary Italian Woman of the Year, while Mayor Jerramiah Healy earned the title of Honorary Italian Man of the Year.

Additionally, Joseph Napoli was voted the Educator/Teacher of the Year, Joseph Giancastro is the Italian Fireman of the Year and Daniel Sollitti is the Italian Policeman of the Year.

The same eight honorees will be in attendance at the Man of the Year & Honorees Dinner, where Dr. Frank Rotella, a family doctor whose office is on 600 Pavonia Ave, will be recognized as this year?s Man of the Year. ?There is a committee of six people who selected the winners this year, about 20 nominees were brought to the table initially,? said Ricciardone.

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