<p><em><a href="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/unnamed-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-32401" src="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/unnamed-1.jpg" alt="" width="471" height="166" /></a>With faith leaders, EqCT will be at Pride celebrations statewide with blessings, resources, and calls to action supporting trans health and safety. </em></p>
<p><strong>For immediate release: </strong>Monday, June 1, 2026</p>
<p>Contact: Carisa Cunningham | 617-447-6500 | <a href="mailto:cc@carisacunningham.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cc@carisacunningham.com</a></p>
<p>(Hartford, CT) Equality Connecticut is dedicating June’s Pride Month to uplifting, protecting, and standing publicly with Connecticut’s trans community amid escalating attacks on trans rights and ongoing concerns about safety, health, and belonging.</p>
<p>Following a solid 18 months of assaults by the federal government on transgender servicemembers, trans athletes, gender-affirming care, identity documents, workplace protections and more, the transgender community is experiencing profound anxiety and fear. Several pieces trans-positive litigation failed in the Connecticut legislature during the session that just ended.</p>
<p>“As much as Pride is a celebration, it’s also a time to commit to protecting each other’s wellbeing and authenticity,” said Matt Blinstrubas, Executive Director of Equality Connecticut. “There can be no pride without health and safety for all. We must keep the transgender community’s state of emergency top of mind for the public.”</p>
<p>Equality Connecticut and partners plan to participate in Pride celebrations across the state. Queer &; Allied Interreligious Leaders (QAIL) will host Queer Blessing Booths at Pride events including on May 30 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/0/bc3fbb34cafcc3b736f5fc67a50dc550b49812584b86b8386193944c7979746a?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/0/bc3fbb34cafcc3b736f5fc67a50dc550b49812584b86b8386193944c7979746a?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw3xmF_V3LYYnTQuTgW2LqwV"><strong>Waterbury</strong>;</a> June 6 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/1/772fa3710cd0bf47e7a616b0a5a8d17ba8074c72977220ec77bd0469280a292c?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/1/772fa3710cd0bf47e7a616b0a5a8d17ba8074c72977220ec77bd0469280a292c?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw0v8cADvDk-Hgi6AJcZ6wh1"><strong>Middletown</strong>;</a> June 13 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/2/0f12953a132137a080653194d6c3f85261cdae3b601197674e4d133bde346c58?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/2/0f12953a132137a080653194d6c3f85261cdae3b601197674e4d133bde346c58?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw0zm6T5aHlhabZfBIjHziYz"><strong>Norwalk</strong></a>; June 14 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/3/bcf580277d666c3b8c8b2768b6daca533398903614e87dac3def692020987b60?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/3/bcf580277d666c3b8c8b2768b6daca533398903614e87dac3def692020987b60?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw3evjgCMkp2gBX0vEHVQRcy"><strong>Manchester</strong></a>; June 27 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/4/cd1a042d0342db63f84a3ea8f260272e622ebd86ba7af854b2e52bf0b2bb44eb?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/4/cd1a042d0342db63f84a3ea8f260272e622ebd86ba7af854b2e52bf0b2bb44eb?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw28hOpMOYMmpv9Cx5jhnqT-"><strong>West Hartford</strong></a><strong>; </strong>July 26 at <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/5/e6e38f061d8377861ec41bbd72ca134c4aeff53d9316f452ed3c52bec163e201?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/5/e6e38f061d8377861ec41bbd72ca134c4aeff53d9316f452ed3c52bec163e201?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw1vva_3RjAY8se3M5Kns9lY"><strong>Hartford Black Pride</strong></a>; and August 8 in <a href="https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/6/de7e9398c2f3e35c05e264fd0c2b8112aaecd092f10d8fb36f80f82abe205350?cache_buster=1780322661" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tracking.eu.nylas.com/l/3b4b76a2d8194cc49323dedabc500454/6/de7e9398c2f3e35c05e264fd0c2b8112aaecd092f10d8fb36f80f82abe205350?cache_buster%3D1780322661&;source=gmail&;ust=1780409418625000&;usg=AOvVaw1dSF_mIMo4bA0Sex9Z6pmo"><strong>New London</strong></a>.</p>
<p>QAIL was organized by Equality Connecticut along with queer and allied religious leaders to provide faith-based support for the community and counter the anti-queer sentiments propagated by others. At the Queer Blessing Booths, leaders from various denominations will providing a welcoming spiritual space for queer people.</p>
<p>Throughout the month, Equality Connecticut will share stories and resources centered on trans health and safety; mobilize supporters to visibly affirm trans communities at Pride events statewide; and encourage residents to act in support of trans rights and protections.</p>
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<p><em>Equality Connecticut works to advance the rights, health, history, and culture of the LGBTQIA+ community in Connecticut. A queer-led grassroots organization rooted in social justice values, EQCT advocates for change, celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community in the state, and supports the state’s LGBTQIA+ organizational community.</em></p>

Equality Connecticut Dedicates Pride Month to Uplifting and Protecting Trans Communities
