NEW: Warren Backs Gay Marriage at Northampton Gay Pride Festival

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Elizabeth Warren takes the stage at Gay Pride event in Northampton

Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren spoke at the 31st annual Northampton Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Parade and Pride Event, showing support for gay marriage and families. The event was held at 3 County Fairgrounds in Northampton and drew a sizable crowd from across New England.

Warren was very animated in addressing the crowd and highlighted the importance of abolishing the Defense of Marriage Act.

"I'm proud to be here," Warren said. "I just want to say how much it means to me to be here with you on such an historic day." She recognized Obama's recent support of gay marriage and said that the issue is one of importance across the country, especially now.

"This is a great moment, but there is still much work to be done. It is time to get employment equality for everyone. No discrimination against anyone, and it is time that every school in America be a welcoming and safe school for every one of our children," she said. "That's what it means to go to Washington. We are a people who believe down to our toes in equality."

In her backing of gay and lesbian families, she encouraged all present to support her campaign, saying, “Go to elizabethwarren.com, get signed up. You’ll never be lonely again!”

Congressman Jim McGovern was at Warren’s side, but did not speak at the event.

"I'll take a leadership position, but I know that the way we make change is we do this together -- hand by hand across this Commonwealth, across this country," Warren said.

Other speakers included Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz.