Sarah Hall, candidate for City Council At-Large

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community in Newburyport and in what ways do you see yourself supporting us in elected office?

I am proud to live in Newburyport, which is a welcoming city for so many. However, no community is perfect, and I recognize that the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face challenges here, including acts of discrimination in both public and private settings. As an elected official, I would counter these challenges by seeking to improve awareness of LGBTQ issues throughout Newburyport, and by offering myself as a resource to any residents who want to come forward and share their concerns.

As a current member of the School Committee, I am especially concerned about the well-being of LGBTQ youth in our community, who face increased social and emotional challenges both inside and outside of the classroom. As a City Councillor, I would continue to support our LGBTQ youth by working closely with administrators and youth leaders to address their specific needs. By making sure LGBTQ youth feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment or retaliation, we can set them up for successful futures.

Do you support the annual celebration of Newburyport Pride? What does it mean to you?

Absolutely! My life is filled with close friends, family, and colleagues past and present in the LGBTQ community, so allyship has always been very important to me. I’m old enough to remember a time when many LGBTQ folks felt the need to remain closeted, particularly in work settings. I’m happy to see the progress we’ve made on LGBTQ rights in my lifetime, but I also recognize that we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

What is your opinion of last year’s theme “Existence is Resistance”?

This theme was meaningful and necessary given the national political climate right now. We are in scary times where the federal government is attempting to erase the existence of trans and non-binary individuals. The most poignant example of this was an impactful speech written by a local trans resident, which was delivered by someone else on Trans Visibility Day. The trans person opted to remain anonymous because they didn’t feel safe being so public with their identity.

What are your hopes for Newburyport Pride 2026?

It seems like we outdo ourselves every year — let’s make Newburyport Pride 2026 bigger and better than ever! I hope we can expand the reach of Pride even more, bringing in members of the LGBTQ community, allies, and more community members from the greater Newburyport area.

What Newburyport Pride events have you attended? Tell us about your favorite Newburyport Pride event!

I’ve attended flag-raisings for Pride and for Trans Visibility Day, Pride parades, and kick-off parties at the Sunset Club. I’d say my favorite was the first Pride flag raising here in Newburyport, when Governor Healey came and shared her personal story and connection to Newburyport. Very powerful.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the Newburyport Pride audience?

Keep up the great work and know that it really makes a difference!