Danvers marks Pride with flag-raising, student grand marshals and community rally
June 13, 2026 | Town of Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts
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The Town of Danvers raised a Pride flag Saturday as officials, community leaders and students gathered on the town hall lawn for speeches, music and a short march to the library lawn.
The Rev. Carol Barshaw, who introduced the event and led a brief Pride-history trivia session with prizes, opened the program and invited attendees to the afternoon festival. A local high-school vocal group, billed as Vocal Alliance, performed multiple songs including "What About Us" and "Born This Way" to applause.
Johan Hunter of the Human Rights Inclusion Council said the ceremony was a public affirmation that "Danvers is a place where everyone belongs," and encouraged residents to take part in the library-lawn events later in the day. Town Manager Jill Cahill shared a personal anecdote about learning acceptance in church and recalled her mother's injunction, "You're on the side of love," as a guiding principle for civic leaders.
State Representative Sally Karns highlighted the growth of local Pride events and noted the Massachusetts Legislature's recent efforts on LGBTQ issues, including the establishment of an LGBTQ legislative caucus. Karns also mentioned the Commonwealth's new Pride Awards and congratulated David Arthur Mills, who was recognized during the program.
Students from the Danvers High School Prism/GSAs served as co-grand marshals. Heather Carnival and Piper led the flag-raising with assistance from town staff; a student speaker urged attendees to "carry queer joy" and called for continued allyship for LGBTQ youth. Organizers said a raffle would raise funds for the Danvers High School Prism Group, and they listed local vendors and prizes available during the 1:00–3:00 p.m. festival on the library lawn. Drag story time and a talk by Miss Diamond Wigfall were scheduled for later in the afternoon.
The program closed with another set from Vocal Alliance and a procession to the library lawn for the festival and raffle. Officials and organizers emphasized celebration and inclusion while noting ongoing work to expand access to health care and community supports for LGBTQ residents.
The town did not take any formal votes or adopt new policies at the event; organizers directed attendees to later programming on the library lawn.
The Rev. Carol Barshaw, who introduced the event and led a brief Pride-history trivia session with prizes, opened the program and invited attendees to the afternoon festival. A local high-school vocal group, billed as Vocal Alliance, performed multiple songs including "What About Us" and "Born This Way" to applause.
Johan Hunter of the Human Rights Inclusion Council said the ceremony was a public affirmation that "Danvers is a place where everyone belongs," and encouraged residents to take part in the library-lawn events later in the day. Town Manager Jill Cahill shared a personal anecdote about learning acceptance in church and recalled her mother's injunction, "You're on the side of love," as a guiding principle for civic leaders.
State Representative Sally Karns highlighted the growth of local Pride events and noted the Massachusetts Legislature's recent efforts on LGBTQ issues, including the establishment of an LGBTQ legislative caucus. Karns also mentioned the Commonwealth's new Pride Awards and congratulated David Arthur Mills, who was recognized during the program.
Students from the Danvers High School Prism/GSAs served as co-grand marshals. Heather Carnival and Piper led the flag-raising with assistance from town staff; a student speaker urged attendees to "carry queer joy" and called for continued allyship for LGBTQ youth. Organizers said a raffle would raise funds for the Danvers High School Prism Group, and they listed local vendors and prizes available during the 1:00–3:00 p.m. festival on the library lawn. Drag story time and a talk by Miss Diamond Wigfall were scheduled for later in the afternoon.
The program closed with another set from Vocal Alliance and a procession to the library lawn for the festival and raffle. Officials and organizers emphasized celebration and inclusion while noting ongoing work to expand access to health care and community supports for LGBTQ residents.
The town did not take any formal votes or adopt new policies at the event; organizers directed attendees to later programming on the library lawn.
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