'Race, gender, religion, sexuality, we are all people and that’s it. We're all people. We're all equal.'' - Connor Franta, author/activist.
As part of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, the second annual 'revival' of the Macomb Pride Picnic held Saturday brought nearly 100 people of all ages in Glenwood Park to celebrate the movement among friends, family and allies. The first Macomb Pride Fest was held in 2019. After a few years, the event went on hiatus, returning last year as the Macomb Pride Picnic.
'In a time that our community is under threat— especially those of us who are trans and nonbinary— it’s crucial that we come together in queer joy, with our allies, celebrating how far we’ve come and envisioning the better future we deserve,' said Event Co-Organizer and Western Illinois University English Professor Merrill Cole.
Sponsored by Macomb Pride, the event featured food, activities for kids and adults, games and live music through 6 p.m., along with informational tables from the Department of Children and Family Services' Foster Care Division and Central Illinois Friends.
Central Illinois Friends (centralillinoisfriends.org), was represented by Wesley Podbielski and Brandon Richardson- Smith. Email [email protected] or call (309) 431-5880 for more information.
Lisa Zimmerman and Leah Myers of the Galesburg DCFS office shared information about becoming a foster parent. Their agency is always looking for foster parents in McDonough County as there are 'a lot of kids in need of homes.' To learn more, email lisanoelzimmerman2@illinois. gov or [email protected].
A book swap was part of Saturday's event.
Left: The Burkharts came out to support their Queer daughter, Jessica Burkhart of Macomb. Jessica was featured in the Community News Brief a few years ago for her young adult book series based on her years as an equestrian.
David Quesal of the Quesal Puppet Troupe was the day's first performer. Here's David and Duga, which is Croatian for 'rainbow.'
A delicious Pride Flag
