Who We Are & What We Do
From our Director
Dear members of Barnegat Pride,
I am truly humbled writing my first, of hopefully many, introductions to Barnegat Pride. Barnegat Pride came about after living here for 16 years and not having any local outlets for the LGBTQIA+ community. If one wants comraderie, they have to travel. Or, most importantly, when I think of the LGBTQIA+ children and teens of our community, I am heartbroken by the bullying and lack of board of education protection. I continually worry about what might happen to a student of the community who has no resources or community to go to for help. It is this daily passion that a friend and ally, pushed me to start Barnegat Pride on March 29th, 2024 by donating the funds to start a legitimate non-profit. On April 9th, 2024, we proudly received our 501c3 non profit status, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team that came together to get us where we are today. A complete group of board members, 400 Facebook members, a regular meeting group forum and we are involved in numerous upcoming events.
In our first few months since March 29th, we have attended Toms River Pride as an organization, held a meet and greet with award winning Author, Ashley T. Brundage, alongside the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce. On June 22 we held our first official Barnegat Pride party and had the best reception from teens. It was so heartwarming to see these teens dancing without a care to the dj, Line dancing in the pine Barron's, all night as the adults dined on tasty appetizers provided by Tara’s Table. Most recently, we held our 2nd pride community meeting. Caleb Keckler, board member and secretary, from Jersey Cleaning Pros provided Rootbeer floats while Corporate Outreach Director Lisa Mazzola, provided pizza for all. This 2 hour gathering was one of great importance and necessity in our area. Members left feeling refreshed, open and happily a part of something good. That is love to me. Love is love. We all love and require love to succeed as humans. I’m proud to have started a group where friendship, family and love for one another is paramount.
Please keep coming back to see what’s new and to be a vital member of our community, You are always welcome here.
Best,
Carrie Diona - Director
At Barnegat Pride, our nonprofit organization is one that provides a safe space for vulnerable children, teens, adults and families who are primarily members or allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. We strive to provide community outreach to ensure that members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Barnegat and Beyond are provided services, community forums, including a true accepting community for all.
It is our ultimate goal that, within this 1st year, we will be able to have our own Barnegat Pride Celebration in June that will become an annual event. Pride at the Docks. With a flag raising.
Our goal for the 2nd year, is lofty, we know. But, by the responses we have received thus far from local businesses and community members of Barnegat and Beyond, our aim is to have our own self standing Barnegat Pride Center where our community members can go to not only feel safe but have a sense of community and family on a daily basis.
