A coalition of unity supporters have announced that the second annual Whitewater Pride Rally, featuring a host of family oriented activities, will be held Saturday, Oct. 1.
The event will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Park in downtown Whitewater, from noon until 2 p.m.
Virginia Coburn, a member of both Whitewater Unites Lives and the Pride Rally committee, said in a recent news release: “The Pride Rally is a way to support our kids and listen to the stories of their journeys.”
Additionally, she noted, the rally provides an avenue through which members of the public can “be a friend to them and their families.”
The event is slated to include activities for children, adults and, according to the release, “even the family pets,” all in support of the area’s LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors with a focus on high school and college students.
Slated events include music, performances, vendors and food trucks. Speakers will discuss the state of the LGBTQ+ movement locally and nationally, the release stated.
“As a planning group, we believe it is important for communities like Whitewater to show that we, too, are supportive of LGBTQ+ students and others. Celebrating those who are out, coming out or thinking about it is critically important for rural communities to demonstrate real support for all that LGBTQ+ residents add to the fabric of vibrant communities,” Stephanie Selvick, UW-Whitewater’s LGBTQ+ coordinator, said within the release.
“This event provides an opportunity not only to celebrate, but also to educate. Having a report on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and their allies is an important part of inspiring and garnering additional support and activism for the community,” she added.
Volunteers from Creative and Resourceful Educator (CARE), a UW-Whitewater student group, will be on site to lead children’s activities. A children’s corner will include story time with community leaders who will read a selection of LGBTQ+ children’s books. Among those participating are interim UW-Whitewater Chancellor John Chenoweth and interim Provost Robin Fox, the release noted.
Pets are invited to attend and participate in an inaugural Pride Pet Costume contest. Registration will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event. For the safety of participating pets, owners are asked to keep pets leashed. Owners are encouraged to keep their pets’ conform level with crowds in mind.
The Sweet Spot Café in Whitewater will be supporting the event by providing pride-themed cookies.
Camden Harlan, an English teacher and co-advisor for the Gay-Straight Alliance at Whitewater High School, said within the release: “As an educator in this wonderful community, it’s absolutely inspiring and heartwarming to be part of this ever-growing event. Whitewater High School students talked about last year’s Pride Rally all year long. Whether attendees gathered up the courage to speak on stage or experienced their first drag show … they will remember those moments for the rest of their lives. It’s the support of a resilient and inclusive community — businesses, schools and municipalities — that allows us to celebrate and show our love for every human.”
According to the release, this year’s event partners include: Impact student organization, Unity Project, Whitewater Unites Lives, Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance, The Book Teller, First United Methodist and the Pride Center at UW-Whitewater.
For more information about the event, call: 262-472-7169 or visit the event’s Whitewater Pride Rally Facebook page.
An earlier story about the second annual Pride Rally is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/second-annual-whitewater-pride-rally-set-for-oct-1/.
Pride flag, file photo/Chris Spangler.
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