July 28, 2023 — The Rochester Pride Parade may not have happened during Pride Month in June, but that didn’t stop PEF and hundreds of others from taking to the streets on July 15.
Members from PEF Region 3 walked alongside union allies as part of Pride at Work. Pride at Work focuses and organizes around the mutual support between the labor movement and the LGBTQ+ community.
Dozens of PEF members and staff, including Vice President Randi DiAntonio, made it out to the parade.
PEF Region 3 Coordinator Leisa Abraham said that this was her first time attending the parade, and that it was fun, family-friendly and beautiful.
“I think it’s important for us to get out and show support for everybody,” she said. “Rochester has always had a great history of inclusiveness.”
Abraham praised the work being done by Harry Bronson, the Assemblymember from the 138th District in Rochester who often leads the legislative charge for LGBTQ+ people in the labor movement.
Abraham said that PEF members and staff walked with CSEA, NYSUT, Starbucks and other union allies while about 15,000 spectators cheered them on, and that she felt her own sense of pride in seeing that.
“I was so pleased that there were other PEF members who felt that all love is beautiful,” she said. “And I was so glad to see us all support our brothers and sisters in the union.”