No Joke! Gary Pride
NW Indiana Rainbow Days, is a two-year old LGBTQ
organization with an ambitious agenda.
The Gary-based organization is planning a first-ever Pride Parade for June 7, 2008. It is scheduled for high noon on a 20-block route down Broadway, from 25th to 5th.
Organized by Tyona Wesley, her life partner Cheryl W., and the Rev. Angie Thinnis, the event will culminate in the 3rd annual Gay Pride Family Picnic at the Beach, at Marquette Park in Miller, on June 7th at 3 p.m. or immediately following the Pride Parade.
"We'll provide the music and atmosphere, all they'll need is their family of supporters, some food and dancing shoes," said Wesley in an email interview.
The biggest challenge NW Indiana Rainbow Days faces now, Wesley added, "is reassuring the LGBTQ community in NW Indiana, the surrounding areas and Chicago that this is no joke."
Key to making the event successful is getting the word out.
"Support is such a huge issue," said Wesley. "Getting the word out, so that everyone can know what's going on and where to come, is the most important fact at the moment."
NW Indiana Rainbow Days was started in April 2006.
"As a lesbian woman in NW Indiana, I knew that there were a lot of gay people out here, but we had no where to go, with our children, to have fun, meet new people and celebrate who we are," says Wesley.
"Besides that, I wanted to see a GLBT community in our own neck of the woods. I knew it would be hard, but with persistence and some serious emailing, it was worth it."
On June 11th, 2006, NW Indiana Rainbow Days, presented its 1st Gay Family Pride Picnic at the Beach.
"Since then," Wesley says, "we have had a few bumps, but persistence and support have gone a long way for everyone."
Currently Wesley is busy working on increasing support to guarantee a successful march.
"Right now I am looking for vendors who will be selling pride items, rainbow flags, pins, pride bands and things like that," she says.
"Our goal is to be strong in the community, but nothing is possible, without support from the community that we are serving."
To offer support of any sort, Tyona Wesley can be reached at [email protected]. NW Indiana Rainbow Days, official website is located at www.nwirainbowdays.bravehost.com