BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Mad Pride 2019 is a march and celebration organized by psychiatric survivors, mental health consumers, “mad people,” and those the world has deemed “mentally ill,” according to a news release.
It is organized by Vermont Psychiatric Survivors and the Hive Mutual Support Network, as well as a planning committee of community volunteers.
According to a news release, Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Inc. calls itself “an independent, statewide mutual support and civil rights advocacy organization run by and for psychiatric survivors. Our mission is to provide advocacy and mutual support that seeks to end psychiatric coercion, oppression, and discrimination.”
They say that Mad Pride “is about challenging discrimination, advocating for rights, affirming mad identities, remembering and participating in mad history, and having fun.”
This year's Mad Pride will take place in Brattleboro on Saturday, July 13. It starts at noon with a meet-up at Pliny Park, followed by a march to the Common for a rally with food, music, and speeches. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 participants.