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Margaret Josephs Steps out to Support Pride Month During a Time of "Monumental Growth and Change"
RHONJ's Margaret Josephs opened up about what Pride Month means to her this year.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Margaret Josephs stepped out this Pride Month for a special event: the Englewood Pride Ceremony 2020. On June 24, in her New Jersey hometown, Margaret raised the rainbow flag at a socially-distanced Pride Month event, which also took place virtually on Instagram, to show her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Margaret spoke to The Daily Dish, in an email interview, about her participation with the Pride Month event and why it feels particularly poignant in 2020.
The Daily Dish: We know you’ve attended this ceremony before. Tell us about how it feels to be a part of it again this year?
Margaret Josephs: It was an honor to be asked to speak at the Pride Ceremony last year and I was given the keys to my city, Englewood, NJ which was so incredible, and to be invited back was truly double the compliment. I love my town and I'm proud to be active in my community which is beautifully diverse.
How did the honor come to be?
MJ: I work closely with my community, namely the Women's Equal Rights center and our fabulous Mayor Michael Wildes on initiatives to support and enrich the lives of the people in Englewood. I am also very active with the NBC Out program in New Jersey through our wonderful contact Ryan Ruggiero.
How did this year feel different than previous years given everything that’s happened in 2020?
MJ: Though this year‘s celebration may look a little different, the sentiment is doubly as strong. This Pride month not only comes off the heels of a global pandemic, but a time in our country of social injustice that cannot be ignored. Though the last few months have been difficult for everyone they have brought about monumental growth and change. We have had an amazing win with the Supreme Court ruling against discrimination in the workplace of the LGBTQ community, so we’re not just gay about this; we’re ecstatic!
What does this mean to you?
MJ: It was never more important than now to stand together united and use your platform and your voice to raise awareness and implement change.
Talk to us about work you’ve done with/for the LGTBQ+ community?
MJ: It’s so important for people to be an ally, and people want to know what it means to be an ally. A great power we all possess is our voice and you know I have a big mouth. So use your voice in your community. Support equal civil rights, speak out for gender equality, raise awareness for LGBTQ social movements and talk to your children. We have to teach this from a very young age. The sentiment is simple and was taught to me by Marge Sr as a little girl. Love is love. I also work with many charities and advocacy groups like Live Out Loud who do such amazing work for LGBTQ youth.
What does Pride mean to you? Why is it important to you and what message do you want to share about the importance of Pride?
MJ: Pride is important to me because growing up with single mother Marge Sr, who truly was ahead of her time, our social circle was incredibly diverse. The majority of Marge Sr's friends were openly gay. I had no idea this wasn't accepted outside my world. When I got older and realized the LGBTQ community were marginalized I was quite simply horrified, it was so foreign to me. I knew immediately I had to speak out and stand with the community and I will continue to do so always.
Of course, Margaret also recently remembered WorldPride 2019, which found her on the Bravo float in NYC.
