SOMA Living July 2024

NORTH JERSEY PRIDE,INC

Photography by Jamie Meier

North Jersey Pride, Inc., a beacon of inclusivity and equality, traces its roots back to a poignant conversation that sparked a movement of unity and celebration. Founded by the visionary C.J. Prince, the organization emerged from a desire to create a sense of community and chosen family for LGBTQ individuals in the North Jersey area. Reflecting on the organization’s humble beginnings, Prince shared, “In 2011, I was having a drink with another mom and saying how I was kind of depressed I wouldn’t be able to go to New York City Pride that year. Our girls were five and two then. We had gone the year before, but the double stroller, missed naps, and too much sun conspired to make it a hellish outing. Somehow, as this friend and I were talking, the idea was born: if we can’t go to Pride, why not bring Pride to Maplewood?” The first year was just a small picnic in the park for about 100 people with a rented bounce house, a potluck picnic, and some friends playing music for free. Since then, it has grown to 4,000 attendees with corporate sponsorships, live music, an art fair, kids activities, and so much more. What continues to make the Maplewood Pride event so special is that it includes not just the families and kids. C.J. explains, “We like to say our festival is also ‘Ally Pride; because allies don’t have to stand on the sidelines and watch. They are full participants. The truth is, we need our allies to align with us, to stand with us, march with us, and raise their voices with ours. We need them to be up standers rather than bystanders—that’s how change really happens.”

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