Previewing the 2023 Rochester Pride Parade and Festival

By Evan Dawson,

Published July 7, 2023 at 2:47 PM EDT

(foreground) Terrance Pleasant and Sam Brett, and (background) Suzanna Speed and Reenah Golden on "Connections" — (foreground) Terrance Pleasant and Sam Brett, and (background) Suzanna Speed and Reenah Golden on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Friday, July 7, 2023

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.

We preview Rochester’s 2023 Pride Parade and Festival. This year’s event is set for July 15. Nearly 200 groups have signed up to march in the parade. Festival activities include food and drinks, games, live music, and more.

This hour, our guests discuss the festival and the significance it has in the current political and social climate. Our guests:

Sam Brett, co-chair of the ROC Pride Picnic, and member of the ROC Pride Collective
Susanna Speed, senior director of diversity, equity and belonging at Trillium Health
Terrance Pleasant, director of community prevention services at the MOCHA Center/Trillium Health
Reenah Golden, Pride Grand Marshal, and founder of the Avenue Blackbox Theatre