Rockingham Times

Pride celebrations returned to Portsmouth on Oct. 9 following last year's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, LGBTQ+ residents and allies alike were able to attend a march dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Portsmouth, according to the Seacoast Current. 

“Great to see so many friends at Portsmouth Pride today! Thanks to all who joined us for a fun day of celebrating and supporting our Seacoast LGBTQ+  communities," U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-Manchester) said in a tweet on Oct. 9. 

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas | Wikimedia Commons

The day's events -- including a march, musical performances and vendors -- were collectively organized by Seacoast Outright, an organization founded to provide support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth.

Despite taking place entirely outdoors, the Pride celebration recommended face masks for all participants and attendees. 

"If you're queer, it's the biggest holiday of the year for our community. Since 2015, this will be our seventh march. 2020 was virtual; it didn't make anybody happy. But it was the pandemic and no one was happy at the time," Seacoast Outright Executive Director Hershey Hirschkop said, according to Seacoast Current.

The march began in Market Square a little after noon and ended at the Strawbery Banke Museum, where anybody over the age of 12 could receive a free COVID-19 vaccination if they were not already vaccinated or were in need of a booster shot.