The annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. To commemorate the month locally, community members are invited to the family-friendly Macomb Pride Picnic Saturday at Glenwood Park.
Sponsored by Macomb Pride and a variety of local businesses and organizations, the event – featuring food, activities and live music – will be held from noon-6 p.m. David Quesal's Puppet Troupe will perform at 12:15 p.m., followed by the music of Banner Marsh at 1 p.m. Music continues at 2:15 p.m. with Tyler Clark, with The Bayou Prowlers taking the stage at the stone shelter house at 3:30 p.m. The day's musical acts round out with Kyra Dean at 5 p.m.
Have a book? Leave a book! Need a book? Take a book! A book exchange table will be set-up, along with a special box of LGBTQIA± media. The sharing of all genres is encouraged and welcome.
Other activities include face painting, spoken word, arts and crafts and lawn games. The picnic is a potluck-style event.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic meal and/or a dish to share with others throughout the day (there is also an on-site grill). All are welcome regardless of their ability to contribute. In addition, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will be sharing information about foster parenting. The event is open free to the public.
'As an openly gay professor at WIU, who has been a campus queer activist for his entire career, I appreciate opportunities to engender queer joy off campus. Macomb Pride supports and celebrates the local LGBTQ+ community and our allies. Everyone is welcome, please come join us,' said Merrill Cole, one of the event's organizers.
To sign up to speak at the Macomb Pride Picnic, message the Macomb Pride's Facebook page, email [email protected], or add your name to the list in person at the event.
Macomb Pride welcomes donations at spotfund.com/ macombpride
