Toben Asklar, Board Member (They/them)

Toben Asklar organized the first two Sharon Pride Car Parades and helped create the Sharon Pride Steering Committee, which has produced the Sharon Pride Festival ever since. They served as a member of Sharon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) for four years, including two as Chair. Toben taught writing at Stonehill College and Nazareth College of Rochester. They currently work stadium event security and substitute teach.

They have worked at an LGBTQ+ community center, a weekly newspaper, a college public relations office, a private boarding and day school, a construction company office, a university residence hall, a hospital childbirth unit, and a family restaurant. Their first job cleaning the dirt from potatoes at a truck farm near Erie, Pennsylvania brought them elbow to elbow with older generations and developed their early understanding of socioeconomic challenges and their work ethic. Toben values their family and the connections forged with their co-workers, students, friends, and acquaintances along the way.

In their free time, Toben enjoys shared time with their children and spouse, volunteering at an animal rescue, hiking, reading, gardening, cooking, and writing. They were honored with an inaugural 2026 Commonwealth Pride Award in June at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Photo Credit: Paul Vicario