In Marshfield, the Select Board organized a community event at the Boys & Girls Club titled “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Pride in the Town of Marshfield.”
Dozens of people joined the event which included music, inspirational speeches, and local vendors.
Marshfield Mariner reporter James Kukstis was one of the speakers. As a gay man raised on the South Shore, he spoke about the importance of visibility.
“All anyone in our society hopes for is to live their authentic lives. But for LGBT people, we spend so many years trying to fit in, that we force ourselves to ignore that fulfilling task. Culture is dictated by example and by tradition. When you grow up without seeing anything that validates how you feel or who you are — or even represents that, you’re effectively being told that there’s something wrong with you,” said Kukstis. “There’s nothing wrong with being gay. Nothing wrong with being lesbian, bisexual, transgender, any other of the groups under our welcoming umbrella. Just as there’s nothing wrong with being straight. This truth though, simply isn’t apparent enough. Though there are obvious signs of improvement.”
During Pride Month, Kukstis urged people to ask the LGBT people in their lives about their experiences.
“Help us create a world where everyone can be comfortable being themselves. Even if that makes you uncomfortable,” he continued. “Your discomfort, I promise, pales in comparison to theirs when they can’t live fully, can’t live out loud.”
Chris Rohland, Chair of the Select Board, organized the event in coordination with the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club. He’s hoping this becomes an annual event.
“We’re all worthy human beings and deserve to be happy, supported, and allowed to thrive in every way. It’s also important to say that in Marshfield, we are working to make our beautiful town a home for all,” said Rohland. “A place where anyone can come and feel safe, involved, and part of the community from day one.”
Jim Bunnell, the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, said their doors are open to all children in town. He said it only takes one person to make a positive difference.
“We are all human, we are all unique, and all we need is a chance. A chance to feel valued and respected of who we are, and for the differences to be embraced as strengths,” said Bunnell. “Inclusion promotes belonging, purpose, and wellbeing. Diversity ignites creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. It’s about the type of world we want to live in and the choices we make every day. It’s the vision of a better world for our children.”
Town Administrator Michael Maresco said after the isolation caused by COVID-19, it was moving to see the community come together.
“We as a team want to make sure that the town recognizes that there are differences with people. We want everyone to feel welcomed here. We want them to feel loved, no matter of the color of your skin, your sexual orientation, any handicap that you have, anything like that,” said Maresco. “We want you to know that the people here are accepting, they welcome you, and they want you to be part of this wonderful community.”
