Our Revolution Hillsborough (ORH) has taken steps throughout the past year to show its support for minority groups in Hillsborough Township with various protests and events.
That continued on June 27 at Ann Van Middlesworth Park when ORH showed its support for the LGBTQ+ community in Hillsborough by holding its first-ever Pride BBQ.
The three-hour event brought around 75 people from across the Hillsborough community and surrounding areas to come together for people who associate themselves as LGBTQ+ members.
One of the leaders of ORH, Didier Jimenez, said the organization felt it was important during Pride Month for the community to have an event for members who live in the area.
“It was a great event,” Jimenez said. “We needed an event that represented and showed support for the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of people came and made people from the LGBTQ+ community feel supported and welcomed.”
Similar to the Black Lives Matter protest in honor of George Floyd and the Solidarity March that ORH held last summer, Jimenez said the goal of the Pride BBQ was to bring people from all different walks of life together and provide support for marginalized groups.
“We are here to make everyone feel safe and represented,” he said. “That’s how you create a safer community. That’s what being a community is all about.”
Jimenez felt that was shown at the event with people from different generations who either consider themselves to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community or its allies, interacting with each other and enhancing a “community” feel.
Local government officials like Assemblyman Roy Freiman attended the Pride BBQ.
Freiman said in a press release that was sent out by ORH that he was “honored” to be a part of the first Pride BBQ in Hillsborough and hopes to celebrate Pride Month with the event again in the future.
“I am proud of ORH for putting together a successful day and I look forward to celebrating Pride Month with this event annually from now on,” Freiman said. “Let us commit to continued progress and support for the LGBTQ+ community.”
The United Democratic Coalition of Hillsborough, a new political organization in Hillsborough, sponsored the Pride BBQ.
The new organization was created to bring all members of the Democratic Party in Hillsborough together to provide a forum for them to discuss issues and any questions surrounding the community and local government, as well as state and national government.
It will also serve as a platform to help democratic candidates in local and state elections get elected.
Adam Beder, a member of the United Democratic Coalition of Hillsborough, said that ORH came to the organization about sponsoring the event. Beder thought the Pride BBQ was a “fantastic” event for the new coalition to be a part of as it supports its mission.
“It was great to support the LGBTQ community,” Beder said. “Part of our mission is to serve all the natural allies in town and we have a lot in the LGBTQ community.”
There are currently two dozen members who are associated with the United Democratic Coalition, according to Beder.
He added that the coalition plans on officially launching its platform in the next few weeks and that there are plans for an inaugural event in the near future.
As for ORH, Jimenez said the organization does not currently have plans for another event this summer, but will continue to work with people and organizations in the area in its efforts to give people of all walks of life a “voice” in the Hillsborough community.
“We will continue to bring people across the township together,” Jimenez said. “We want them to have their voices heard and show that their neighbors care about them.”
