Two River Pride gathering slated for June 10 in Red Bank

RED BANK — The Count Basie Theatre will host the annual Two River Pride gathering June 10 at 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. The event will begin with 5:30 p.m. screenings of three short films.

Two River Pride is an annual Pride Month event created for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their allies, which centers on LGBTQ history and celebration by giving specific voice to area youth. Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna will deliver a proclamation in recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

“As Red Bank’s mayor, I always compliment the diversity that our community represents and celebrate its tolerance and inclusion,” Menna said in a press release by Count Basie Theatre.

“Advancing LGBTQ issues strengthens us as cohesive community, and I am grateful that Count Basie Theatre and Red Bank have come together to celebrate Pride Month because everyone deserves the realization of their full potential and recognition of their dignity.”

The event represents a partnership between local civic, cultural and community leaders and groups, including Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich, Make it Better 4 Youth — the Monmouth County Consortium for LGBTQ Youth and others.

In the same press release, Zipprich, the first openly gay elected official in Red Bank’s history, noted, “During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, people were fighting to be recognized as equal citizens.”

“Today, it is up to the young members of the LGBTQ community to learn from history and urge the movement forward,” he said.

This year, Two River Pride will screen three short films made by young artists that demonstrate a visibility of certain struggles of LGBTQ-identified youth.

“The Language of Love,” written and performed by Kim Ho, depicts a character who falls in love with his male best friend.

“Shabbat Dinner,” directed by Michael Morgenstern, earned a nomination at the 2012 Hong Kong International Film Festival and won “Best Short Film” at that year’s Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

“Dating Sucks” is an animated short directed by Sam Berliner.

Following the screenings, attendees can enjoy refreshments. Music entertainment will be provided by Josh Zuckerman and DJ Mister Zero.

The film screenings will be followed by the Two River Pride reception and a public screening of the 1993 film “Philadelphia,” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.

For more information, contact Jonathan Vena at [email protected] or 732-224-8778, ext. 107.