Press Release Portraits of Pride 2025 Announcement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ruthchy Belizaire
Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of Art, History & Culture
ruthchy.belizaire@bostonlgbtqmuseum.org
www.bostonlgbtqmuseum.org

Boston LGBTQ+ Museum Announces 2025 Portraits of Pride Exhibition in Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for Pride month.

BOSTON, MA Thursday, May 15th — The Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of Art, History & Culture is proud to announce the return of its annual Portraits of Pride public art exhibition, opening in June 2025 in celebration of Pride Month. This year’s exhibition will be installed at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park (100 Atlantic Avenue, Boston), creating a striking, accessible outdoor gallery in the heart of the city.

The 2025 theme, "Legacy" honors LGBTQ+ leaders whose vision, advocacy, and impact have shaped the fabric of Greater Boston’s LGBTQ+ community’s political and activism past, the present, and future. Featuring 20 large-scale photographic portraits captured by acclaimed photographer John Huet between December 2024 and April 2025, the exhibition spans subjects photographed across Massachusetts—from Cambridge to Provincetown—as well as international sites such as Spain.

“This year’s Portraits of Pride is both a celebration and a declaration,” said Jean Dolin, President & CEO of the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum. “It affirms that the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to Boston’s civic, cultural, and public life are long-standing, far-reaching, and enduring.” 

“We are lucky to be in Massachusetts with so much political history, understanding and allyship. In times where hate is on the rise and there are efforts to actively erase us, the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum is crucial because our work is rooted in historical stewardship, Artistic Excellence and Creative Freedom” Arline Issacson, Board Chair of the Museum. 

This year’s honorees include a dynamic mix of public servants, advocates, creatives, and trailblazers:

1. Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

2. Philip Nardone, PAN Communications

3. Jerome Smith, Amazon

4. Paul Glass & Charles Evans, returning honorees from the 2022 inaugural Portraits of Pride, representing LGBTQ+ Elders of Color

5. Harold Dufourd, Founder, Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast

6. Gary Bailey, Simmons University

7. John Ward, Founder, GLAD Law

8. Gretchen Van Ness, LGBTQ+ Senior Housing

9. Chancellor Julie Chen, University of Massachusetts Lowell

10. David Aronstein, AIDS Action / Boston Alliance for Community Health

11. Jeff Perrotti, Founder, Safe Schools Program

12. Abe Rybeck, Founder, The Theater Offensive

13. Susu Wong, Tomorrow 360

14. Craig Bailey, Photographer

15. Arnold Carpenter and Joseph Reed, Community Advocates

16. Denise Simmons, City of Cambridge Mayor 

17. John Lam, Ballet Dancer

18. Mary Boanuto, Civil rights Attorney at Glad Law

19. David Hodgkins, Coro Allegro

20. Kenneth and Greg Johnson 

The exhibition will remain on public view throughout the month of June, free and open to all.

To celebrate the exhibition the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum will host a special “Portraits of Pride Soiree” on June 1st 2025 at the Connector on Federal Street. 

The Portraits of Pride exhibition and soiree are sponsored by Eastern Bank Foundation and Boston Foundation with special support from Barr Foundation. 

The exhibition is part of the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum’s mission to preserve and promote the rich history and artistry of LGBTQ+ individuals across Massachusetts.

For more information about the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum, the Portraits of Pride exhibition, or how to support the Museum’s work, please visit www.bostonlgbtqmuseum.org.

Pride Month Celebration.

On Sunday June 1st 2025, the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum will host the Portraits of Pride Soiree. The evening will be hosted to celebrate the annual Portraits of Pride exhibition and kick off Pride month in Boston. The soiree will be hosted at the Connector from 5 to 9 PM.

Register here