By Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition


The 10th annual Grays Harbor Pride in September will feature multi-platinum award winner Mary Lambert. Best known for her musical collaborations with Macklemore on “Same Love” and “She Keeps Me Warm,” Lambert has expanded her work to include poetry, acting, producing, composing and writing. She has received national awards for her work on destigmatizing mental illness and for her support of
the LGBTQIA+ community.

“When we thought about acts to bring to our 10th annual festival, Mary was at the top of my list,” said Jen Gillies, president and co-founder of Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition, the nonprofit organization behind Grays Harbor Pride. “Her work around mental health and body positivity has helped me deeply. She’s from the Pacific Northwest, and it seemed fitting to have a performer join us who has a connection to our area and an unparalleled resume, and who knows the struggles that the LGBTQIA+ community faces.”

Grays Harbor Pride will launch at 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport in Aberdeen. This year’s theme is “The Love Boat.” Admission is free. The family-friendly event will include children’s activities, food and craft vendors, demonstrations, and various musical and other performances. The tall ship Lady Washington will be in port for tours and an
afternoon cruise around the Chehalis River. At 7 p.m., after Lambert’s concert, drag king Ceasar Hart will present a drag show with performers coming from all over the PNW.

This is a celebration of all the LGBTQIA+ community has accomplished over the past decade, and a recognition of the work still to come.

“We may like to throw a party – and our Pride festival is a fabulous party – but we never forget how this all started and why we are here. This has always been and will always be rooted in protest and advocacy,” said Gillies. “This is an act of solidarity and strength for our LGBTQIA+ neighbors of all ages who are forced to walk through a world that refuses to welcome them. We are standing strong for the kids in our community who are surviving abuse and discrimination every day.

“Too many lives have been cut short for us to stay silent,” she added. “Too many people live in shame for the beauty of their true selves. We love all of them. We are proud of all of them.”


Grays Harbor Pride Festival Information

Date: Saturday September 23, 2023
Time: 1:00 - 5:00pm
Location: Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
500 N Custer St, Aberdeen, WA 98520
Mary Lambert Concert 5:00pm
Drag Show hosted by Ceasar Hart 7:00pm

For more information on Grays Harbor Pride (including vendor and sponsorship forms), Out & Proud, and other local resources, visit https://opghc.com.

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