CHICOPEE, Mass. - The city of Chicopee is getting ready to celebrate Pride month this weekend with several events including a parade, live music, and dance performances.

Chicopee Cultural Council member and La Diaspora art gallery owner, Johnny Miranda, spent Friday morning organizing his art display to prepare for Pride Fest.

“It’s a feeling of being your genuine self. It’s a feeling of letting people know you exist,” said Miranda. “Letting people know that humankind is diverse and Pride means a moment to inspire others.”

As an LGBTQ business owner, Miranda said the community has and continues to experience many forms of discrimination.

Miranda said the goal in celebrating Pride month is to make these injustices visible, while also giving the community visibility and to encourage people to live a life out of the shadows.

“We are contributing members of our society. We are your business owners. We are your politicians,” Miranda said. “We are your everyday people, and Pride is just an opportunity to acknowledge that.”

Friday afternoon, the city of Chicopee hoisted the Pride flag, and for locals like Antonio Roman who have family members in the LGBTQ community, it was a moment of solidarity.

“I hope that everyone follows the creed that everyone should have access to everything without stigma,” said Chicopee Tapestry, Syringe Service Program Manager, Roman. “It doesn’t matter what your creed, what your sexuality or gender is. All love.”

The city will hold a parade on Saturday at 2 p.m. that will start from city hall and end on School Street, where the city will host its Pride Festival at Geraldine’s from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.