Newcastle Pride Celebration Brings Community Together at Lake Boren
Newcastle, WA – On Sunday, June 8th, Lake Boren transformed into a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion as Newcastle residents and community organizations came together for the annual Pride celebration. The event brought together community members, families, and allies for a peaceful and joyful gathering that underscored the community’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals.
This year’s celebration featured the collaboration and support of several local organizations, including Youth Eastside Services, Eastside Pride PNW, and the Newcastle Arts Council. These groups provided valuable resources and support to attendees, reinforcing the importance of community partnerships in fostering a more inclusive Newcastle.
A highlight of the event was an emotional and motivational speech delivered by Ginger Chien from PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside. In her address, Chien honored the resilience and groundbreaking contributions of LGBTQ+ figures who have shaped technology and society:
- Lynn Conway, a transgender woman and pioneer of VLSI microchip design, overcame discrimination from IBM and revolutionized the tech industry with her work on microprocessor design.
- Sophie Wilson, a transgender woman who developed the ARM architecture, which powers billions of smartphones worldwide.
- Alan Turing, a gay man whose brilliant codebreaking at Bletchley Park helped defeat Nazi Germany, only to be tragically persecuted for his sexuality.
In addition to those figures, this website would like to also recognize the remarkable contributions of:
- Audrey Tang, a non-binary individual whose expertise in software development and civic hacking has championed digital democracy as Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs.
- Mary Ann Horton, a transgender woman and early internet pioneer who helped shape Usenet and email systems, and advocated for transgender-inclusive policies in the tech sector.
These trailblazers exemplify the spirit of perseverance and innovation that Chien highlighted, reminding the crowd of the profound impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on the world—even in the face of adversity.
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage directly with Newcastle City Council members Ariana Sherlock, Sun Burford, and Paul Charbonneau. Community members shared their concerns, voiced their proposals, and discussed actions to keep Newcastle a safe and welcoming city for all. This interaction was particularly meaningful given the backdrop of last year’s Pride rally, when the Newcastle City Council declined to raise the Pride flag—a decision that left many in the community feeling overlooked. This year’s event, by contrast, felt like a powerful affirmation of the community’s commitment to fostering dialogue and inclusion.
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of warmth, support, and resilience. Attendees connected with one another and with local organizations, building networks of solidarity and understanding. Volunteers and community partners worked tirelessly to ensure that every guest felt welcome and celebrated.
Newcastle’s Pride celebration at Lake Boren was more than just an event—it was a testament to the strength and unity of a community that continues to stand tall in the face of challenges. As the sun set over Lake Boren, the message was clear: Newcastle’s LGBTQ+ community is here to stay, and the community’s path forward must be one of respect, compassion, and unwavering support.
Councilmembers’ Reflections
We reached out to the Newcastle City Councilmembers who attended the event to share their thoughts on the Pride celebration and the community’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
- Ariana Sherlock’s Comments:
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Pride with our Newcastle community! It was extremely meaningful for my family to feel the support from our neighbors for our child who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. We had a wonderful time and appreciate the effort by the organizers to make it an annual event.”
Resources and Acknowledgments:
A heartfelt thank you to all the organizations, volunteers, and community members who made this celebration possible. Your dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming Newcastle is appreciated more than words can express.