Galesburg Mayor to proclaim June LGBTQ ‘Pride Month’ for first time

For the first time ever the Mayor of Galesburg will officially proclaim June Pride Month before Monday’s City Council meeting.

The proclamation that Mayor John Pritchard will read ends by encouraging “all community residents to eliminate prejudice wherever it exists and to celebrate our great diversity by focusing on and celebrating our LGBTQ neighbors.”

Sam Carrington says it means a lot to have the City of Galesburg celebrate LGBT people, especially as a newer resident in the community.

“There’s a long history of fighting for visibility and acceptance so having the city proclaim it’s LGBTQ Pride Month is a really big different. It makes me feel seen and safe in Galesburg,” Carrington says.

Carrington says it’s unfortunate that physical gatherings and celebrations can’t happen this year, but says Pride Month’s history is intertwined with protest, something the community and country have seen much of since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer.

June was originally chosen as Gay and Lesbian, and later Bisexual and Transgender, Pride Month, in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Lower Manhattan.
That event in which patrons of gay bars and clubs revolted against police harassment is viewed as a catalyst for the gay rights movement

The Pride Picnic that typically happens every June in Galesburg is one of the largest in this part of the state.

Chris King says a lack of knowledge is often where “fear and ignorance come from”, but nearly everyone knows someone who is LGBTQ whether they realize it or not.

“I’m really hoping this is a shining light at the end of the tunnel, or somewhere in the tunnel to say, ‘its ok. We see you, and we know you are valid and loved, and we acknowledge that you are you,” King says.

King says that she knows several LGBTQ people that have had to recently move home or shelter in place with family that doesn’t accept who they are.
Resources are available for those who find themselves in such a place, resources are available at translifeline.org and thetrevorproject.org.

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