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At Rochester's annual Pride Day, writing to make it right

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Several take time out during Saturday's Pride Day to write poetry on an interactive poetry wall created by Rochester Poet Laureate Katie O'Connor, right. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - They say a picture's worth a thousand words, but sometimes a thousand words can paint a picture in the mind's eye.

And so it was on Saturday at the city's Pride Day as Rochester Poet Laureate Katie O'Connor unveiled the first edition of an Interactive Rochester Poetry Wall that gives folks the chance to write their own chapter and verse on tolerance, acceptance and love.

Rochester's festive annual Pride Day - dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ community - was again held under scintillatingly sunny skies as it seems to be every year.

Some of the sentiments created on Rochester's Interactive Poetry Wall.

Pride Day organizer Matt Wyatt estimated this year's attendance as every bit as robust as last year's with about 3,000 perusing the vendor booths on Hanson Street, visiting the Interactive Poetry Wall in Parson Main Square and tripping the light fantastic at a Dance Party at the Performance and Arts Center.

Saturday's theme on O'Connor's wall was, of course, Pride Day with hundreds taking their turns using individual magnetic word tiles to piece together their own sentiments about the importance of the day.

O'Connor, who spent much of the time holding the board steady with one hand as a stiff wind blew through the downtown, said the public seemed to embrace the notion of her interactive poetry wall.

The wall will move to the Community Center in a couple of weeks with a larger more permanent venue, O'Connor said.

A crowd of young people spend some time perusing the buttons at the PFLAG booth on Hanson Street during Saturday's Pride Day.

Meanwhile, a large contingent of excited teenagers and young people showed up for this year's Pride Day with many drinking in the diverse ambiance the day attracts. Many lingered near the PFLAG table where scores of buttons with messages like "I love my gay dad" or "Queer and Proud" were offered up.

PFLAG, which stands for "Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays," is a nationwide advocacy group that looks to unite families and encourage allies for individuals of all sexual orientations.

Anita Johnson, a PFLAG volunteer from Stratham, said PFLAG's primary mission is to reach out to anyone seeking their help.

Rochester City Attorney and 1st Congressional District hopeful Terence O'Rourke shares a moment with a potential voter during Saturday's Pride Day on Hanson Street.

She said much of their effort is targeted at young people whom she sees sometimes struggling with their sexual identity.

"I see some young people feeling very alone and possibly not getting what they need from their families," she said frowning. "And when you're not getting support from there, well you need us."

According to their website, PFLAG's mission is to, "build on a foundation of loving families united with LGBTQ people and allies who support one another, and to educate ourselves and our communities to speak up as advocates until all hearts and minds respect, value and affirm LGBTQ people."

To find a PFLAG chapter nearby call (603) 960-1394 or contact pflaginfo@pflagnh.org.

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