GREENFIELD — Just a few months before the presidential election in November 2016, recently married couple Jenny Coleman and her wife Quinn Jaquins were waiting in line at a drive-thru on Federal Street.
While there, someone in the car behind them began to honk.
According to Coleman, “someone didn’t like the stickers on the car,” which included the word “love” and a sticker supporting then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Tactless as it may have been, the couple could manage to ignore it that August evening.
But the person didn’t relent. The honking continued and they began to yell, eventually calling the pair a slur, something shocking that also made Coleman feel unsafe.
“I’m in Greenfield, I’m supposed to be safe here. Forty years in the valley, I’ve never had that happen on that personal level,” Coleman said.
It is this incident and others that have happened across the nation that continues to push Coleman, Jaquins and others from Franklin County Pride to organize and celebrate the Franklin County Pride March and Rally, now in its second year. It’s taking place on Saturday.
The two want to give members from the LGBT communities a place and time to feel safe to be who they are.
“We’re not safe. If you’re not a straight white person you’re not safe. Marching is taking that back,” Coleman said.
The events will begin with a drag brunch at Hawks and Reed at 9 a.m., followed by the Gay 5K and 1.2-mile walk starting at 10 a.m. at the Town Common.
The Pride March begins at noon, and will feature floats, colorful characters, rainbow flags and proud members of the LGBT community walking together without fear.
After the march a rally and festival from 1 to 3 p.m. will happen at the Greenfield Energy Park, featuring live music, political speakers and community activists, as well as food and craft vendors.
The festivities will continue throughout the day, with events including a tea dance at the Pushkin Gallery at 3 p.m. and a concert at Hawks and Reed beginning at 7 p.m.
Coleman hopes this year’s celebration will bring love and energy to the city and the community, which Laquins believes is needed in the current political climate.
It is in this climate, Coleman said, where the two hesitate to hold hands in public and are reluctant to tell neighbors they are married when they introduced themselves to them.
“There’s that little breath in between where you say ‘my wife,’” Coleman said. “Every time it’s coming out again.”
But for at least one day, it will be just a great day out.
For more information you can visit franklincountypride.org, email franklincountypride@gmail.com or call 413-376-8004.