Love Your Neighbor Project hosts Sea Cliff and Glen Cove's first ever Pride Stride
Striding towards equality, with pride
The Love Your Neighbor Project, in collaboration with various LGBTQ+ groups, is hosting the first Pride Stride to unite the communities of Sea Cliff and Glen Cove in celebration of Pride Month. The event, set for Sunday, June 2, will feature flag-raising ceremonies and a symbolic walk to promote inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, who has spearheaded the Glen Cove Pride flag-raising since 2019, is partnering with Jaime Teich, Chief Neighbor of Love Your Neighbor Project, to expand the celebration. Silverman, the first openly lesbian councilwoman in Glen Cove, emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment.
“This event shows that Glen Cove is a welcoming community,” Silverman said. “We aim to provide a space where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted for who they are.”
Teich highlighted the increased need for visible support in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and actions.
“We’ve seen more anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric this year than ever before,” Teich said. “Our feeling, as we move to meet the needs of whatever’s happening in our community, is the need for Pride to be more prevalent in Sea Cliff.”
The Pride Stride will begin at Sea Cliff Beach with a flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. led by Mayor Elena Villafane. Participants will then walk to downtown Glen Cove, where a second flag-raising ceremony will be held at noon. The event aims to bring together members of both communities in a show of solidarity.
In addition to the flag-raising, the program will feature speeches from notable figures, including Assemblymember Charles Lavine, Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, and Sarah Kate Ellis, President of GLAAD. Student representatives from the Glen Cove and North Shore Gay-Straight Alliances will also speak, highlighting the involvement of local youth in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
The collaboration between Love Your Neighbor Project and local LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the North Shore and Glen Cove GSAs, is central to the event’s mission. Ian Strong, a seventh-grade student and last year’s All You Need Is Love Community scholarship winner, has been instrumental in connecting the organizers with the youth community.
Strong, who created a pride garden on Sea Cliff Avenue, will be one of the speakers at the event. Strong is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and explained that he felt it was important to stand up and show support on behalf of those who may not feel welcome otherwise.
“Not just me, but everyone in the community, it can help them feel validated and supported and seen,” Strong said. “Just knowing that this community is very supportive and is doing stuff like this, I feel like is one of the most important things about any Pride event.”
Local businesses are encouraged to show their support by displaying Pride flags provided by the Love Your Neighbor Project. Volunteers will distribute flags to businesses willing to participate, further spreading the message of inclusivity throughout the community.
“We want pride to be represented within the community,” Teich said. “If local businesses choose to support by displaying a flag, we will provide one free of charge.”
Ensuring the safety and accessibility of the event has been a priority for the organizers. The chosen route from Sea Cliff Beach to downtown Glen Cove is designed to be accessible to participants of all mobility levels. The Glen Cove Police Department will oversee traffic control to ensure a safe passage for all walkers.
Both Teich and Silverman expressed their hope that the event will foster a sense of unity and belonging.
“Our communities are interconnected,” Teich said. “We want to show that we are a welcoming space, with people who care, who love, who are allies, and who support the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Pride Stride is open to everyone, and participants are welcome to join at any point along the route. The event is anticipated to last approximately an hour and a half, providing ample opportunity for community members to come together in celebration and support of LGBTQ+ pride.
For more information about the Pride Stride and how to get involved, community members are encouraged to contact the Love Your Neighbor Project at info@loveryourneighborproject.org or visit their website, LoveYourNeighborProject.org.
