Ben Harman, 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?

The challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community mirror those facing all residents — affordability, accessibility, and the rising cost of living. But we’re also under attack. After decades of progress toward equality, hard-won rights are being rolled back in courts and legislatures across the country. As an elected official, I will keep advocating through policy at the local level and by using my platform to push back against those attacks.

Massachusetts remains a beacon, but when one among us suffers, we all feel it. Beyond supporting Newburyport Pride, the DEI Alliance, and the Human Rights Commission with time, funding, and Council action, I’ve met with our state and congressional representatives about the existential threat to our trans community. I’ll never stop standing up for LGBTQ+ people.

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

I whole-heartedly support the annual celebration and have been so proud of our community as I’ve seen it grow from the parade route every year. I have participated in Pride events in Boston and Chicago over the years and marched in Haverhill’s first parade this past June. But there’s nothing better than the joy of being embraced by your neighbors right here at home. To me, it’s a statement of welcoming and love – not just for those of us who identify as LGBTQ+, but for all who are marginalized or feel unseen.

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

The Pride Board does incredible work balancing the need to emphasize inclusivity while also honoring the spirit of what Pride truly is: an act of protest. In a year when LGBTQ+ people face renewed hostility, “Existence is Resistance” was the right message. It reminds us that visibility itself is an act of courage, and that we need our allies beside us to protect the freedoms we’ve fought so hard to win.

What are your hopes for Newburyport Pride 2026?

My dream is that trans people will feel safe, elders will have the care they deserve, and kids will see themselves reflected in what they read and learn. But hope requires believing things can change. So my hope for 2026 is simply that Newburyport remains open and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ among us and keeps showing up, loud and proud, proving that this community values and celebrates diversity.

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

I’ve attended nearly every Pride event over the years. The parade is always a highlight — full of energy and joy. But my favorite moment is quieter: the annual fundraiser I host for an LGBTQ+ scholarship nonprofit I work with. It’s mostly my friends and chosen family who show up. And that small act is deeply personal and affirming because when I was a kid, I could never have imagined being out and married and surrounded by people who love me for who I am.

PS Shout out to my friends at Paddle Inn who generously host and donate proceeds!

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

Take care of yourselves. The constant attacks on our community are draining, but you’re not alone — I’m out here fighting for you in every way I can. Reach out to me if you need support or have ideas for collaboration. And thank you for making Newburyport a more vibrant and diverse place to live.