PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Pride Month kicks off in June, and organizations in Peoria and Bloomington-Normal are planning several events throughout the summer.
Peoria Proud Vice President Todd Northcutt said the group has events planned throughout the month of June, beginning with its family picnic on Saturday, June 7.
“We got our family picnic coming up the first week, and there’s free food. All our community partners will be there,” Northcutt said.
Northcutt said Peoria Proud will also host events throughout the month, including a celebration at Sparky’s later that same day and a bridge lighting to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
Peoria Proud’s main Pride Fest will be held in July on the Peoria Riverfront. Northcutt said the event is planned for the third Saturday of July from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In Bloomington-Normal, Prairie Pride Coalition Board President Dave Bentlin said Pride celebrations are also extending beyond June.
“Traditionally, Pride Month has been the month of June, but it seems like in Central Illinois it’s become Pride Summer because some of these events are extending over into July and even August,” Bentlin said.
Prairie Pride Coalition’s annual Pride Picnic is planned for June 14 at Anderson Park in Normal. Bentlin said the picnic is co-sponsored with the ISU Queer Coalition, Prairie Pride Coalition and the Bloomington-Normal chapter of PFLAG.
He said the event is meant to bring the LGBTQ community and allies together in a family-friendly environment with food and information booths.
Other Bloomington-Normal events planned for July include Pride Night at Miller Park Zoo on July 15, Pride Night at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival on July 19 and Bloomington-Normal Pride Fest on July 25 in downtown Bloomington.
Bentlin said Bloomington-Normal Pride Fest is now in its seventh year and drew more than 10,000 people last year.
Both organizations said the events are about creating spaces where people can feel supported, celebrate and be themselves.
“People are looking for places where they can just have fun, where they can experience joy, because these are hard times for a lot of people in the LGBTQ community,” Bentlin said. “If we can sponsor events like this that bring people out where we can get together with people in a supportive environment, where people can be themselves.”
Northcutt said continued support for Pride events remains important.
“A lot of people are asking, why do we still need to celebrate it?” Northcutt said. “When you go on our social media and you’ll see comments from community members that aren’t as supportive, it really just shows why it’s important to get out and support Pride.”
More information about Peoria Proud events can be found on the organization’s website and Facebook page. Prairie Pride Coalition also has more information about its Bloomington-Normal events online.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story 0nline at CIProud.com.
