That diversity crosses barriers of gender identity, ability, ethnic origin, financial status and various other categories. Indeed, the founders of Evanston Pride are very conscious of a trap LGBTQ organizations can easily fall into: not recognizing the overall diversity of their own community.
The celebration is themed around “Proud to Be,’’ a theme that “celebrates the deep intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ community with other marginalized communities, all of whom struggle for justice together,” said organization officials. Signs are available through Evanston Pride. “Proud to Be” is the theme of this year’s Pride Parade. Evanstonians will be encouraged to decorate their homes for the passing car parade, effectively turning their homes or shops into “parade floats,” according to organizers. “We’re going to have programming that is safe, inclusive and inspiring,” said Rada Yovovich, one of the organization’s founders.Īmong those events, which take place June 26, will be a car parade, picnic and candle-lighting ceremony.
The organization will help amplify LGBTQIA+ voices, and educate the broader Evanston community on LGBTQIA+ issues and needs.”
The function of Evanston Pride, Inc., according to its organizational website, “is to organize and support the full spectrum of local LGBTQIA+ community members through specialized programming and training efforts. A number of Evanstonians, who recently banded together to create a new community LGBTQ pride organization, unveiled plans for a Pride Month celebration at the end of June.