Balloons, flags and banners adorned cars in the Youth Pride Caravan, covering Evanston in small segments to minimize traffic congestion and still spread the message of pride on June 28, the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which is seen as a turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA rights.
The School District 65 LGBTQIA organized the small-group caravan, traveling to pre-arranged blocks, where supporters gathered to wave and cheer.
Last year Pride Month was celebrated by the Evanston Public Library and merchants in the Main-Dempster Mile. This year, the City of Evanston, took an active role, offering information and activities on a page on its website.
For Week 3, the City offered some viewing and reading suggestions: “Styling Hollywood” (Netflix, reality TV),”The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” (Netflix, documentary), “Circus of Books” (Netflix, documentary), “A Secret Love” (Netflix, documentary), “The Half of It” (Netflix, teen romantic comedy), “Pose” (Netflix/Amazon, drama series), Wanda Sykes “Not Normal” (Netflix, stand-up comedy), Fortune Feimster “Sweet and Salty (Netflix, stand-up comedy).
Suggestions for children include “Arthur” (PBS), “The Loud House” (Nickelodeon), and “Andi Mack” (Disney).
Musical artists recommended by City staff, available on YouTube and streaming services, include the following: Janelle Monae, George Michael, Elton John, Sam Smith, Panic! At the Disco, Teagan and Sara, and Hayley Kiyoko.
The City notes the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a bar and dance club known for being a welcoming, safe place for the LGBTQIA community in the ‘60s, and describes the uprising, also called the Stonewall Riots: “On June 27, 1969, plain clothed police officers invaded the Stonewall Inn. Within a few hours, patrons were arrested on questionable charges and publicly forced into police cars. Although The Stonewall Inn had been subject to police raids many times before, on this night, the LGBTQIA community fought back. As a result, protests continued for several days, launching a new era of gay rights activism. On the first anniversary of this event, June 1970, the first Gay Pride March was held in Manhattan. Millions of marches, parades, and festivals have taken place since and the Pride movement has and continues to evolve. The original Stonewall Inn was recognized as a National Historic Landmark by President Barack Obama and is the first LGBT National Historic Landmark in history. June 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of annual LGBTQIA Pride traditions.”