HAPPY PRIDE EVERYONE!!
Every year, during PRIDE month, I learn more and more about reasons PRIDE month came to be, must be, and needs to be! I’m so grateful for all I’ve learned from the hundreds of families that have come to an OutSupport meeting, called us for a shoulder to cry on, or bravely lived your truth in the face of a society that does not always show support. Part of our mission is (I’m paraphrasing here) is to rock the world in the way that we can to bring understanding, family peace, and social justice to our little corner of the world. There is still a long way to go, but there are things to celebrate this year, and we will work hard to make sure every day, week, month and year, there is more to celebrate.
If you are looking for a PRIDE event here in Ohio, look no further than our friends at The Buckeye Flame www.TheBuckeyeFlame.com for the 2021 Pride Guide! Lots of in person, virtual, and social events to put on your calendars!! OutSupport will try to keep updated with events on our website’s Calendar of Events, as well!
OutSupport will be co-hosting several events to feel some PRIDE with! We hope that you can make it to at least one!
Next Tuesday, June 8 from 7-9pm, at the behest of Medina City Councilwoman, Jess Hazeltine, we will be having a PRIDE CHALK THE SQUARE! Event! Sidewalk chalk provided to surround the periphery sidewalk (we can’t chalk up the interior of the Square, due to city regulations) with Rainbows! Let’s get creative and show our PRIDE!! Raindate: Wednesday, June 9
Also, in collaboration with Medina County Indivisible, OutSupport will co-host a Support Transgender Friends, Family and Neighbors gathering on the Square in Medina on Wednesday, June 16 from 5:30-6:30pm. Signs and flags are available to borrow, or bring your own homemade sign or flag and show support for Transgender Folx!!
Hungry for Pizza? Look no further than Pizza Palooza on Saturday, June 19 from 9-2! Stop by the OutSupport table and pick up a Progress PRIDE flag (while supplies last!). We will share the table with our Medina County Health Dept friends, and will have resources for LGBTQ folx regarding tobacco use prevention and cessation! Let’s stay healthy together! Also, our friend Andrew Snyder will also have a table, and you can learn more about his important LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment research! Our tables should be next to each other, which will be fun!!
Our Trans and Non-Binary Youth gatherings have been fun! The first 2 meetings hosted about 15-20 youths and their parents, and everyone seemed to have a good time making new friends and making supportive connections for parents. Next meeting is Friday, June 18 from 6-8pm at River Styx County Park in Wadsworth!
Lastly, I want to give a huge shout out and welcome to the world to Benjamin Reed! Our amazing website GURU Candyce, and her husband welcomed their beautiful rainbow baby into the world on May 8! So happy for their new bundle of JOY!! Sending lots of love their way!!
Happy PRIDE Month to everyone!!
Best,
Sandy
she/her