Babylon Village Pride Parade Returns for its 5th Annual Celebration in Babylon Village, New York

The Babylon Village Pride Parade, now in its fifth year, is set to return on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 3:00 PM in Babylon Village.

Babylon Village Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to facilitating awareness, acknowledgement, and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community in Babylon, Long Island.

his vibrant and inclusive event celebrates the members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community in Babylon Village and beyond. Babylon Pride has quickly become the fastest-growing pride event on Long Island, drawing participants and spectators from across the area. The parade aims to not only celebrate diversity but also to support future LGBTQIA+ events for students and business owners in the community. The event is spearheaded by Babylon residents, Robert McKeown and M. Roman, an unlikely pairing that exemplifies how community members can unite to celebrate diversity and promote acceptance.

"We are thrilled to bring back the Babylon Village Pride Parade for its fifth consecutive year," said M. Roman. "Our mission is to promote awareness, acknowledgment, and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community while fostering a sense of unity and celebration."

BELLA’s own Beauty and Lifestyle Contributor, M. Roman, shared their reflection on what this parade means to them and their community…

What was your initial inspiration for curating and orchestrating a parade like this in your community?

Babylon is my hometown, I love this village so much, and there was a need to highlight our LGBTQIA+ community within this town. There are a lot of queer families, business owners, and workers who are LGBTQIA+ and, personally, I felt they just needed some appreciation!

Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in bringing this dream to life?

At the end of the day, you’re never going to win everybody over. It’s about the cause, and unfortunately there has been some push back. But, ultimately, it makes the success of the event that much sweeter.

What has the response been like from members of your community and beyond?

The response has been overwhelmingly incredible. Babylon has inspired multiple villages and towns to have their own Pride events. Long Island (Suffolk County) specifically has changed for the better!

What do you hope the impact of this event will ultimately be? The fundamental goal in sharing such a beautiful experience with Babylon, and with the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole?

I want people to recognize that times are, and have always been, changing. No longer should anyone feel uncomfortable to be who they were always meant to be. I don’t care what age, it’s never too late to walk in your truth and be yourself. Yes, not everyone is going to be respectful, but you must love yourself. Wake up every morning knowing that you are living your best life by being your authentic self. I want our community to rise against the push back, start pride initiatives in your own hometowns, and never take no for answer.

To experience the parade, kick off will commence at 3:00 PM, with participants encouraged to arrive by 12:00 PM to secure parking. The event will feature colorful floats, lively performances, and opportunities for networking and community engagement.

For more information about Babylon Village Pride, visit BabylonPride.org or follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook.