Haverhill Pride Celebrates Monumental First Year, Elects Founding Board, and Announces First Year-Round Event
Brothers and Co-Owners Jay and Mark Ferrandini help customers at the Time Machine in downtown Haverhill during the city’s first Pride Parade and Celebration on June 7 2025.
Following the Historic Inaugural Parade—Rated 94.1% Satisfied by Attendees—Organization Formalizes Leadership, Commits to Year-Round Programming, and Begins Work to Achieve 501(c)3 Status
Haverhill, MA — (October 9, 2025) — Haverhill Pride is celebrating a landmark achievement, confirming its transition into a formalized organization dedicated to continuous service following the overwhelming success of its first-ever Parade and Celebration on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The historic event not only drew an estimated 1,200+ attendees and helped the organization raise over $40,000 in just three months but also earned a phenomenal 94.1% attendee satisfaction rating and an 88.2% Net Promoter Score (NPS).
“We’re thrilled at the outpouring of support we received from the Haverhill community, raising over $40,000 in just three months leading up to our first Pride Parade and Celebration and welcoming 1,200+ attendees. This incredible success was a resounding affirmation that the LGBTQIA+ community always has and always will belong in Haverhill. We’re grateful to our friends, neighbors, and community partners who welcomed us with open arms - and especially to Creative Haverhill for their ongoing support as a fiscal sponsor while we make the transition from a Creative Haverhill program to a full-fledged nonprofit.”
shares newly elected President of Haverhill Pride, Nathan Phillips.
This clear demand for LGBTQIA+ visibility and community building has powered the group's rapid organizational growth. Haverhill Pride officially elected its first Board of Directors at a meeting on July 29 and is actively pursuing 501(c)3 nonprofit status. In the interim, Creative Haverhill is operating as the organization's fiscal sponsor, ensuring uninterrupted fundraising and financial stability.
New Leadership and an Established Mission
The newly elected Board of Directors will guide Haverhill Pride's work to foster year-round activities, resources, and support for the local LGBTQIA+ community. The inaugural Board members are:
Nathan Phillips – President
Emilio Viscio – Vice President
Chelsea Daigle – Secretary
Patrick Sainato – Member at Large
Catherine Chandler – Member at Large
The organization's direction is directly influenced by community feedback, which emphasized the desire for sustained presence. As one parade attendee noted: “Activities or meetings throughout the year would foster community and let people know that we are more than just one day.
This work will be guided by the organization's official mission statement:
“Haverhill Pride champions the LGBTQIA+ community by working together toward a more vibrant Haverhill where every queer person is celebrated and empowered to belong and thrive.”
Reflecting on Haverhill Pride’s progress so far and plans for the future, Vice President Emilio Viscio shared:
“The first-ever LGBTQIA+ Pride parade this June was a monumental moment in our city’s history. Haverhill Pride is committed to celebrating and empowering our queer siblings and allies not just in June, but every day, every month, year-round. We’re so excited to continue the momentum with the introduction of our official mission statement and follow-up event: Speed Friending. The LGBTQIA+ community in Haverhill is not only present, we’re vibrant, flourishing and keen to kiki!”
Building off of the June celebration's success—which one attendee called "the best Day of the year in the city of Haverhill"— Haverhill Pride Parade and Celebration will return to the city on Saturday, June 20 2026.
In the meantime, the organization is busy planning its next social event: a platonic speed-friending social event designed to help community members make new friends and build connections with the budding Haverhill Pride community.
Get Involved & Stay Connected
Haverhill Pride is actively recruiting community members who want to help make Pride happen. To get involved with volunteering, event planning, or other initiatives, submit your information through the form on our volunteer page.
The organization is also accepting corporate sponsors for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Businesses and organizations interested in partnership opportunities are encouraged to visit our website for more information.
Stay Connected:
Website (under construction): https://www.haverhillpride.org
Social Media: Find us on Facebook and Instagram @HaverhillPride
Haverhill Pride is a community organization dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community and its right to thrive. We are a collective of activists, organizers, and allies dedicated to the ongoing work of advocating for a just and equitable Haverhill. In partnership with our community, we will build safe, affirming spaces, foster belonging, and provide education to realize a more vibrant Haverhill where every queer person is celebrated and empowered to succeed.