Pride Is Celebrated Every Thursday In The Hamptons

EAST HAMPTON, NY – While there was no parade or fireworks for Pride Month in East Hampton, there is a group who shows pride — and joy — every Thursday night at the Maidstone in East Hampton.

“It began in September of 2013. Our first reason for starting G.L.A.M. was for people in the LGBT community who were living out here to get together with people and not feel alone after summer ended,” Terry Kidder says.

Kidder, who spent years as an agency creative director in beauty advertising and now services a cache of corporate clients including L'Oreal and Coca-Cola, plays a pivotal role in G.L.A.M. “This happens every Thursday night and we want people to know there is always someplace out here for the LGBT community to go to every Thursday.

“We want everyone in the LGBT community to come join us. Everyone is welcome. During the summer we meet in the garden of the Maidstone. Some nights we have 200 people,” Kidder adds. G.L.A.M. is all about fun, fellowship and community mindedness.

G.L.A.M. stands for Gay and Lesbians at the Maidstone; the Maidstone is on Main Street in East Hampton.

“We sometimes raise money to push a local cause and engage in community affairs," Kidder explains. "We have helped The David Rogers MD Center at Southampton Hospital, which cares for people with AIDS- related illnesses and people with HIV infections."

G.L.A.M. also benefits Project MOST which provides East Hampton’s children a range of academic support, enrichment activities, physical exercise, and positive social development everyday in the critical hours after school.

“We do good when we can, but our G.L.A.M. meetings are not too structured," shares Kidder. "It’s about welcoming new people in."

The next group event is on Thursday June 30 at the Maidstone. You can find out more about G.L.A.M. on their Facebook page.