Dear Colleagues,
Your UUP Buffalo Center Chapter has registered to participate in Buffalo’s Pride Parade scheduled for June 4th, and are looking forward to your participation!
Members interested in participating in the parade should RSVP at: https://forms.gle/N5Q8afq3ryBCof8z9, no later than Wednesday, May 31st, so that we may have an accurate number of individuals to expect.
Here are some important details for those planning to attend:
- The parade line up begins at 8:00 am and runs until 10 am. The parade starts at 11 am. Individuals arriving after 10am will not be able to participate in the parade.
- Any individuals who want to walk in the parade should look for Tina Rimbeck (UUP Buffalo Center Chapter’s Outreach Coordinator). She will be wearing a red UUP shirt in Buffalo State University lot R14 (1300 Elmwood Avenue).
- The parade travels south on Elmwood Avenue starting at Forest Avenue and ending at Allen Street. The block of Elmwood Avenue between Allen Street and Virginia Street will be closed to traffic; floats and marchers will be able to disassemble in this area.
- Participants are encouraged to wear their UUP shirts along with their favorite pride attire, the flashier the better.
- We will have pride flags for participants and will be making signs to carry in the parade as part of the Chapter’s Happy Hour on Tuesday, May 30th from 4 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Register here) at the UUP 108 Commons office.
Other information from the Parade Organizers include:
ANIMAL SAFETY
• All animals shall be leashed, harnessed, or otherwise retrained throughout the Parade. If you have animals, you will be responsible for providing clean-up for those animals.
• NOTE: NO animals will be allowed on the Pride Festival site at Canalside (with the exception of ADA-certified service animals) so please plan accordingly.
PERSONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
• The Parade will be held rain or shine.
• In cases of extreme weather, the COORDINATOR reserves the right to cancel the Pride Parade. Notice of cancellation will be announced on the Buffalo Pride Week website at https://buffaloprideweek.com/
and on our social media channels.
• All persons participating in the Pride Parade are urged to be prepared for any kind of weather condition. Please be aware of the dangers associated with marching and participating in the parade. Bring lots of water or other non-alcoholic liquids for drinking. The COORDINATOR will not assume any responsibility for the health and well being of the Parade PARTICIPANTS.
• PARTICIPANTS will stay off sidewalks and remain with their group during the Parade.
• At no point will PARTICIPANTS willfully endanger the safety of themselves, other units, spectators, or parade staff and volunteers.
• Firearms, loaded or unloaded, concealed, or exposed, are strictly prohibited within the Pride Parade.
ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
• No alcoholic beverages or drug use will be permitted.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages or illicit illegal drugs during line up or the actual parade is grounds for immediate expulsion from the event and police action. ..
• PARTICIPANTS are not permitted to consume any alcoholic beverage or other substances at the assembly site, on the route, or at the exit site of the Pride Parade.
RELEASE OF LIKENESS
• PARTICIPANTS understand and acknowledge that as a public event, all activities associated with the Pride Parade and Festival may be photographed or recorded. The COORDINATOR or other entities may take and use photographs, film, or other images of PARTICIPANT in or observing this activity. PARTICIPANT waives any right of privacy, publicity, compensation, copyright or other rights to those images, and we consent to COORDINATOR using those images for any purpose.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Buffalo Pride Parade PARTICIPANTS, Buffalo Pride Festival exhibitors, vendors, contractors, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and all personnel associated with the Parade and Festival agree at all times to honor and abide by the following statement of non-discrimination in word and action:
“All persons associated with Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival will provide service to individuals without regard to an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, HIV/AIDS status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, gender, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, citizenship or any other protected classification in accordance with state, federal, and municipal laws.”
Anyone associated with the Parade or festival, or their employees or associates in violation of this agreement will be asked to leave the Parade or Festival grounds immediately and will forfeit all entry fees, rental fees, sponsorship fees, and deposits as applicable. Additionally, any actions taken, or statements made to individuals or groups contrary to this policy or the spirit and intention of this policy are not permitted in the Parade or on the Festival grounds, or in any communication associated with the Parade or Festival.
Per City of Buffalo requirements, The Evergreen Foundation of Western New York, Inc. (COORDINATOR) is required to carry liability insurance for the Pride Parade. Consequently, all organizations and individuals participating in the Pride Parade (PARTICIPANTS) must adhere to the Terms and Conditions and Non-Discrimination Policy listed as condition of participation. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in exclusion from this year’s event, exclusion from future events and possible legal action. The decisions rendered by the COORDINATOR will be final and it maintains the right to refuse any entry to deny any application without liability.
Hope to see you there!
In Solidarity,
Ken Kern
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center