Why does @DotOUT like #DotDay2017 so much? Because for 14 years, Dorchester, and her fabulous, zany, wildly unique folks and the @DotDayParade have welcomed us–Dorchester’s LGBTQ community– with open arms. We’ve flown our rainbow flags.
We’ve dressed in every costume imaginable. We’ve been our own unique selves. And you, Dorchester, and the Dorchester Day Parade committee have welcomed us with warmth and acceptance. Acceptance of our differences is what makes our neighborhood so unique in the @cityofboston.
We thank our fabulous sponsors who embrace diversity and help us to connect the Dots in our unique and fabulous way.
Our dear corporate sponsors Carney Hospital and Great Spaces Real Estate Boston
@BayWindows @cedargrovegardens @dbar @swankproperties @ValenteInsurance —
We’re #StrongerTogether, Dorchester.
Come greet Helga, DotOUT’s Rainbow Regatta’s masthead! She’s waiting for that special someone to sweep her off the truck front!
Could it be you???
DotOUT is celebrating our neighborhood’s wonderful diversity with this year’s theme: Rainbow Regatta-Sailing Forward Together.
Dorchester is closely tied to its waterfront from the Neponset river to Port Norfolk and all the way up to Harbor Point. Regattas bring individual boats together for fun and camaraderie on the open seas. Sailing together and weathering rough waters and stormy skies is what we do in Dorchester. We harbor our strengthens and forge new friendships making our Dorchester rainbow regatta stronger and better for all the different boats.
We’re cutting the glitter for Saturday’s brunch…
Brunch & annual meeting is THIS Saturday! Almost 70 folks have signed up through Eventbrite and Facebook. If you’re…
Posted by DotOut Dorchester on Thursday, March 30, 2017
“If we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve such a society through violence. If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society. If we desire a society that is democratic, then democracy must become a means as well as an end.” — Bayard Rustin
DotOUT, BOSTON’S ONLY LGBT NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP, DISTRIBUTING
RAINBOW FLAGS TO SOUTH BOSTON BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES
Steering Committee responds to recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade inclusion of LGBT veterans group.
BOSTON, March 13, 2013 – DotOUT steering committee members are giving away 100 rainbow flags this week to South Boston businesses and residences to display during the annual South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 19, 2017. “The rainbow flag is a symbol of hope and pride for the LGBT community,” said DotOUT Vice President Matthew Duffy. “We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support during the past week. When straight allies and neighbors fly the rainbow flag, they affirm their vision of an inclusive Boston.”
The idea for donating the flags began with DotOUT Treasurer Mark Haley, who, as a small business owner, knows the impact local businesses have on shaping a community. Haley was impressed by neighbors in Washington, DC who flew rainbow flags during Vice President Mike Pence’s temporary stay. He thought it was a positive and visible way for allies to stand up for their LGBT neighbors. “Dorchester businesses have been pro-LGBT with their support of DotOUT’s events year after year. South Boston and Dorchester are neighbors. It’s time for DotOUT to lend a hand to our neighbor. Providing free rainbow flags is our welcoming gesture to South Boston.”
The flags are available March 18 and will be distributed through a combined effort of neighborhood groups and residents. The group’s goal is for business and residences along the parade route to display the majority of flags for a visual display of #OneBoston and #StrongerTogether messaging popular on social media. South Boston residences and businesses are encouraged to display the flag during the parade regardless of their location. If interested in obtaining a flag, people can use the provided form at http://bit.ly/DotOUTRainbowFlag.
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DotOUT (http://www.dotout.org) is a grassroots, member driven organization committed to the ideals of acceptance, inclusion, fairness and equality. We believe in the strength of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (“GLBTQ”) community in Dorchester and recognize that together through our activism and neighborliness we can positively influence local opinion on issues that are relevant to us and our community.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DotOUTBoston • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dotoutdorchester/
DotOUT steering committee members are giving away 100 free rainbow flags this week to South Boston businesses and residences to display during the annual South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 19, 2017. “The rainbow flag is a symbol of hope and pride for the LGBT community,” said DotOUT Vice President Matthew Duffy. “We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support during the past week. When straight allies and neighbors fly the rainbow flag, they affirm their vision of an inclusive Boston.”
The idea for donating the flags began with DotOUT Treasurer Mark Haley, who, as a small business owner, knows the impact local businesses have on shaping a community. Haley was impressed by neighbors in Washington, DC who flew rainbow flags during Vice President Mike Pence’s temporary stay. He thought it was a positive and visible way for allies to stand up for their LGBT neighbors. “Dorchester businesses have been pro-LGBT with their support of DotOUT’s events year after year. South Boston and Dorchester are neighbors. It’s time for DotOUT to lend a hand to our neighbor. Providing free rainbow flags is our welcoming gesture to South Boston.”
The flags are available March 18 and will be distributed through a combined effort of neighborhood groups and residents. The group’s goal is for business and residences along the parade route to display the majority of flags for a visual display of #OneBoston and #StrongerTogether messaging popular on social media. South Boston residences and businesses are encouraged to display the flag during the parade regardless of their location. If interested in obtaining a flag, people can use the provided form at http://bit.ly/DotOUTRainbowFlag.
In vibrant Dorchester, Boston’s largest and most diverse neighborhood, DotOUT has ‘connected the dots’ for more than 13 years between LGBTQ neighbors and businesses with creative and inclusive civic, social, political and charitable engagements. We’ve embraced our strengths and enhanced our commonalities as neighbors, friends and family.
Members of DotOUT fought long and hard to acquire the same rights as our non-LGBTQ neighbors and family members in Massachusetts. We, like many, feared these hard-won rights would be crushed under the current Presidential Administration. Sadly, we are seeing those fears made real with almost weekly attacks on LGBTQ rights across the country. We are in the crosshairs.
Yesterday, we learned of a return to homophobia and transphobia here in Boston where many thought this battle had been won here at home. While not representing our city or any neighborhood, a 9-4 vote by South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers, Allied War Veterans Council, punctuates that homophobia and transphobia — even against U.S. veterans who are LGBTQ — can drive current actions in Boston and beyond and will grow if left unchallenged.
We take challenges to our community members seriously, and as current and past board members, DotOUT leaders firmly promise to stay strong as we challenge ourselves to fight against rising aggressive hatred facing our LGBTQ community.
DotOUT promises to:
We ask you — our friends, family and neighbors — to recommit with us for community and inclusion. We can only be a better Dorchester–a stronger Boston — by being more supportive, welcoming and accepting neighbors.
With love,
DotOUT Steering Committee
P.S. DotOUT will again proudly march to celebrate Dorchester (as we have every year since 2004) in the 2017 Dorchester Day Parade on Sunday, June 4. Please join us. Find out how by emailing us at info@dotout.org.
DotOut won best float in the 2016 Boston Pride Parade!Thanks to all our sponsors and everyone who came out to help us play with power tools, fluff those fabrics, and give that flatbed truck a fabulous makeover!