What is Mad Pride?

Mad Pride is a movement for the rights, dignity, and liberation of mad folks and people who have been marginalized or harmed by the mental health system.

Rooted in psychiatric survivor organizing and disability justice, Mad Pride challenges stigma, centers our voices, and demands real change — not just awareness.

We’re reclaiming “mad” as identity, resistance, and solidarity.

We’re building community, celebrating who we are, and showing up visibly and unapologetically.

People are still facing coercion, criminalization, and exclusion because of mental health labels. Mad Pride exists to push back — and to create something different.

LOCATION: First Unitarian Universalist Church (UU Church), 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401

DETAILS: July 11, 2026; March 12-1PM, Festival 1-3PM

MARCH: The March will begin at 12:00 PM at the UU Church, where we will head down Church St, and stop at City Hall Steps for a rally speech before returning to the UU Church for food and connection! 

FESTIVAL: From 1-3PM, enjoy free food and community connection! Activities include connecting with VT based organizations, creating collective art, doing peer-led yoga, and having intentional conversations with community members. 

Commemorative t-shirts will be available for the first 150 attendees, with special opportunities to customize your shirt with screen printed art by a mad artist.

ACCESSIBILITY: The event will take place outdoors in the shade, and indoors. Masks will be available for participants, with some indoor activities being mask-required in an effort to prioritize community care and accessibility for our mad, disabled, and immunocompromised community. ASL interpretation will be provided for the march and activities as needed.

There is a ramp and an automated door opener located on the east side of the building. Upon entering through this door, you will find an elevator that will allow you to enter every level of the building excluding the Sanctuary balcony area.

All restrooms are accessible. All-Gender Restrooms are located on the lower level of the Meeting House.

Parking and accessibility details can be found at the UU Church’s website.

For general questions, access information, or to request accessibility accommodations, please reach out to info@madfreedomadvocates.org