CLEVELAND — This Saturday marks the annual Pride in CLE, which will be held in person for the first time since 2019.
Workers and volunteers at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland have been busy all week prepping for the event, which kicks off at noon with a march.
“A lot of cities have pride parades. We intentionally have a march,” said Gulnar Feerasta, senior director of programs for the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. “It goes back to the roots of how the LGBT rights movement sort of kicked off with the Stonewall riots.”
The riots took place back in 1969 in New York City and were a turning point in the fight for gay rights.
“We want folks to remember and recognize that we are still in a fight to have equality, to have equal rights, to be basically recognized as full, authentic human beings,” said Feerasta.
For those who plan on heading out to Pride in the CLE, it’ll be held in a new location this year.
“We will be in Malls B and C downtown, spread out over two huge spaces. We’ve outgrown Public Square, plus we wanted to make sure that we have more space so that we can be more spread out, especially with COVID,” Feerasta said.
The location isn’t the only change this year. Folks can check out numerous new sites and exhibits.
“One of the things that’s new is Artisan Alley. Queer LGBTQ artists can come and sell their art and share their craft,” said Feerasta.
Pride in the CLE will also feature, for the first time, Wellness Village.
“There will be a section where we have all our all three of our health major health care partners, Cleveland Clinic, UH and Metro Health being there to offer information, some preventive services, will have HIV testing and screening, STI testing and screening,” said Feerasta.
Pride in CLE might be a growing event, but organizers said the fight for equality is far from over. Still, acceptance has come a long way, they said.
According to a recent Gallup poll, more than 20% of Generation Z identities as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a record number that’s only expected to grow.
“It’s a norm, and I’m so hopeful for the future generations, because to them, difference is not something that is that is scary or frightening. Difference is normal,” Feerasta said.
For more information on Pride in the CLE, click here.
