Who We Are & What We Do:
A Letter from our Founding Director

To our amazing members:

Get ready for an absolutely thrilling year ahead—2026 is set to be our biggest and brightest yet!

 

We are overjoyed to announce that we've received our very first grant from the Grunin Foundation, ensuring we can continue our vital services for another incredible year!

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As we gear up for Pride Month and our 2nd Annual Pride Festival, I want extend a heartfelt thank you to our board, sponsors, partners, members, volunteers, allies, and everyone who has us in the first half of the year. Your commitment to diversity and inclusion is invaluable, and we truly appreciate every partnership! I can hardly contain my excitement for Pride Month! Barnegat Pride will kick off the celebrations as one of the first festivals in NJ this June. for a day filled with fantastic entertainment, a beer garden, amazing vendors, food trucks, and a fun kid zone!  Join us in celebrating Pride, sharing smiles, and giving back by bringing a non-perishable food item for the Waretown United Methodist Food Bank. We suggest a $5 entry donation to support our ongoing free events for our members!

This year, we are thrilled to partner with B98.5FM radio and Out In Jersey Magazine, and we can't wait to celebrate with the NY Cosmos on June 6th during pride night! Join us for an unforgettable experience!

And speaking of experiences, mark your calendars for July 2nd, as we celebrate with the Jersey Shore Blue Claws! For just $40 for adults and $ for children, enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet and support Barnegat Pride, as a portion of each ticket is donated back to the group,

After an exciting June, we’ll also host our 4th Red Cross Blood Drive on July 18th—let’s come together to save lives!

Reflecting on our year, we’ve held empowering events like monthly therapy sessions and thrilling Drag Bingo nights. Our first Annual Pride Festival was a smashing success, with over 1000 attendees and countless unforgettable moments! Barnegat Pride is dedicated to fostering unity and support in our community, and we’re thrilled to have expanded our outreach programs to uplift our LGBTQIA+ youth. Remember, Barnegat Pride was born from a passion for creating a safe space for our community, and we so grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey. With your love and support,’re building a family where friendship and inclusivity shine bright! Stay tuned for more updates, and know you’re always welcome here!

With Pride and Love,

Carrie Aspan - President