Narioshka Johnson, right, background, performs in Painesville at the Lake County History Center on June 9 during LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County’s Fourth Annual Lake County Pride gala. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald)
In its sustained spirit of fostering a safe place through advocacy, compassion, education and services, LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County, coinciding with Pride Month, once again held its family-friendly signature pre-summer bash — dubbed “Lake County Pride – Better Together” — in Painesville.
Evolving from a “very small Pride Picnic,” with only 150 people, mostly due to pandemic restrictions, the affair, according to Allies Founder/Executive Director Betty Jacobs, boasts bigger attendance year after year.
“This is our fourth year and we estimated 5,000 people were in attendance last year, and 3,000 the year before that,” she said. “And the entertainment has grown, too, including children’s activities, exhibits and food vendors.”
Jacobs expressed gratitude to the event’s sponsors which include the Lake County History Center, University Hospitals, Lifeline, Inc., the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Cleveland Foundation, the Wickliffe Family Resource Center, the Lake County ADAMHS Board, the Cleveland Clinic, Old South United Church of Christ in Kirtland, and others.
Jacobs added that she founded the organization in 2019, in response to a gap in support and services for the LGBTQ community.
“We are the first and only LGBTQ nonprofit in Lake County, and after five years we are still struggling to get a seat at some tables, and we are still struggling to get our voices heard, but we will not falter,” she said. “We are small but mighty.
“And Pride is about celebrating everything that makes the LGBTQ community thrive,” Jacobs emphasized. “It’s a day to remind LGBTQ people that we see them, they matter, and how far we have come. We still have a long way to go, but it’s a reminder that we will not stop! I believe Martin Luther King Jr. said it best: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ ”
As attendance has steadily grown over the years, so have the number of vendors and exhibits at the LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County’s annual Pride celebrations. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald)
She noted the organization is always looking for individuals to dedicate their time and talent.
“If you can help by volunteering, offering expertise, or helping financially, please do not hesitate to contact us,” Jacobs said. “Thank you to everyone who has supported us, and continues to support us.
“You can keep Pride visible all year long by showing you are LGBTQ-friendly, visibly, meaning wearing a rainbow bracelet, pin, a small pride flag displays in your office, and pronouns on your email address or name badge,” she added. “The only way LGBTQ people know you are a safe person is by seeing it.”
Lake County Captains mascot Skipper took time away from the team to attend Lake County’s Pride event in Painesville on June 9. The six-hour affair drew thousands in its fourth year. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald)
