BOSTON — Berkshire Pride's president and Pittsfield's HR director received an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award on Wednesday at the State House. 

Michael Taylor was one of 105 LGBTQ-plus individuals celebrated for outstanding accomplishments in Massachusetts, which continues to rank No.1 in the United States LGBTQ-plus Equality Index. Taylor is the president of the Berkshire Pride board and is the director of human resources for the city of Pittsfield. 

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier announced the news in a video on social media of herself and Taylor at the awards. 

"You've just brought the community together so well. Pride has grown and grown and grown," she said.  "It's such a celebration, and there's so much inclusivity, and importantly, joy." 

Berkshire Pride is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a month of events and activities in Berkshire County, with the flagship parade and festival at The Common on Saturday. 

Taylor, in the video, said this event has "a lot of joy" and wonderful families coming out to celebrate themselves and their community. 

"And it's just really just an overall vibrant event that really just brings everybody together for a really happy day," he said. 

The Commonwealth Pride Awards were hosted by the LGBTQ-plus Legislative Caucus, which promised that this was only the beginning of the annual awards. Honored community leaders include public servants, advocates, doctors, authors, filmmakers, educators, historians, entrepreneurs, and religious leaders. 

The Wednesday ceremony in the Senate Chamber, which was streamed on malegislature.gov, included remarks, musical performances, and the reading of the names of more than 100 individuals being honored.