Call for Events for 2021 Buffalo Pride Week

Weeklong LGBTQ+ celebration will take place June 1-6

BUFFALO, NY – MAY 6, 2021 – Buffalo Pride Week today called for affirming organizations, businesses and individuals to host events across Western New York as part of the 2021 celebration, which will be held between June 1-6, 2021. Buffalo Pride Week encourages virtual events and non-crowd-based programming that uplifts LGBTQ+ people in Western New York. Safe and lawful events that abide by current city, county and state COVID-19 guidelines can be submitted to BuffaloPrideWeek.com, which launched in 2019 as a central resource for Pride events.

“Pride is about finding strength through love, inclusivity and unity, and we all celebrate in different ways,” said Justin Azzarella, chief strategy officer of Evergreen Health. “We’d like to encourage finding creative ways to celebrate this year, so that we can all stay safe as we welcome Pride Month and Buffalo Pride Week. There are already a variety of events planned, so keep an eye on the Buffalo Pride Week calendar – and submit your own!”

Two new ways to participate in Buffalo Pride Week were introduced in 2020 and will again take place in 2021: the ‘Home Sweet Pride’ reverse parade and ‘Speaking with Pride’ social media campaign.

Home Sweet Pride – In this reverse parade, instead of floats going by houses, we decorate the houses as we would floats. Decorate homes, businesses and neighborhoods in colorful and jubilant Pride decorations. Share your pictures with the hashtag #buffaloprideweek and tag @buffaloprideweek.

Speaking with Pride – Pride has a different meaning for everyone, and we want to hear what it means to you. Post written content, photos, songs, quotes, memes and other contributions on social media, use the hashtag #buffaloprideweek and tag @buffaloprideweek. Buffalo Pride Week will share your posts to uplift members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.

The mission of Buffalo Pride Week is to uplift the LGBTQ+ community by raising awareness and providing access to diverse events that bring people together in the spirit of celebration, advocacy and community engagement. The weeklong celebration is hosted by Evergreen Health Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, and the celebration is presented by Evergreen Health and M&T Bank.

“We are incredibly excited to see the Buffalo LGBTQ+ community come together and find creative ways to spread the message of Pride throughout Pride Week,” said David Comstock, President of M&T Bank’s Pride Resource Group, Western New York Chapter. “This year’s weeklong celebration is designed so everyone can participate safely, while still staying connected, remembering our history and remaining strong during these times of physical distancing. We wish everyone a happy Pride Week and Month!”

2021 Buffalo Pride Week is also sponsored by Quest Diagnostics, Geico, Linde, National Grid, Rich Products, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Thermo Fisher Scientific as well as other local businesses. For the safety of the community, 2021 Buffalo Pride Week will not include the annual Pride Parade or Pride Festival.

The Evergreen Health Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, coordinates and manages the Buffalo Pride Parade and Pride Festival as a way to give back to the communities served by Evergreen Health and its affiliate organizations.

Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive, and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.

M&T Bank is a multi-state community-focused bank serving New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1856, M&T Bank and its affiliates provide banking, investment, insurance and mortgage financial services to consumer, business and government clients.