The third annual Interfaith Family Pridefest was held June 14 at Raymond Park in Evanston.
The free event celebrated LGBTQ+ families and featured performances by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Evanston Folk Choir, Full Spectrum Bluegrass queer collective and True Colors Drag Troupe.
The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus regaled the crowd with their renditions of Cher songs, and ended with a tribute song to the singer while the True Colors Drag Troupe members each performed their signature routines. All four performances elicited cheers from the all ages audience after each set.
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation Rabbi Rachel Weiss and Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston Rev. Erik Christensen (both of whom are out queer clergy) served as the event emcees.
Weiss spoke about the importance of this event as a space where LGBTQ+ families of all ages can gather and be out and proud.
She added that there are many houses of worship in Evanston that are LGBTQ+-affirming spaces that celebrate “who you are, because it was not so long ago that you had to choose” whether to be out or religious because “often those spaces didn’t mix.”
Weiss noted that there are now nine out queer clergy in Evanston. She also announced that Christensen was recently elected to be the Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Lutheran Synod and marking the first time an out LGBTQ+ person has been elected to this role.
Additionally, Weiss said, “There is a lot happening in the world that’s awful and makes us wonder why Pride should even be a thing right now because it’s scary … That is all the more reasons why we are here today, because we as a community know that Pride is a Jewish value, a Christian value, a Buddhist value and an ‘everybody’ value that we all need to be here and celebrate.”
Christensen said, “We come from many different religious traditions, but we hold a few things in common. Each of us bears within our very souls the mark of the divine. No matter who you are or where you come from … here this loud and clear, you are made and loved by the same divine that brought the entire world into being and holds this community together. We are here to say we will not let fascists or bigots or any other force split or divide us from one another. We are here, and we are stronger together.”
First Congregational Church of Evanston Senior Pastor Rev. Jason W. Coulter told Windy City Times, “\In this day and age when transgender people are under attack, when they’re trying to roll back LGBTQ+ equality it’s important that we come out forcefully. To say we are not going to hide, retreat or run [away]. We’re going to be filled with pride this month and every month.”
Coulter added that there are many people who “practice their faith and live authentic lives as queer folks. That’s a beautiful thing and it deserves to be celebrated.”
Children were treated to Drag Queen Story time and a Jamberry Music performance by owner and teacher Nicole Rodin Jaworski, who captivated the toddlers’ attention.
DJ Randma also spun tunes throughout the event.
Attendees enjoyed popcorn and ice cream courtesy of C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor who brought their truck to the festivities.
The event was sponsored by Evanston-based religious institutions Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue, First Congregational Church, First United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Lake Street Church, Northminster Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Unity on the North Shore and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilmette as well as Garrett Evangelical Seminary and Meadville Lombard Seminary.
Other sponsors included City of Evanston, Evanston Council Member Claire Kelly, Evanston Arts Council and Northwestern Community Affairs.
Keshet (for LGBTQ+ Equality in Jewish Life), Interfaith Action, Booked Evanston, Erie Family Health, Evanston Public Library, Jewish Child and Family Services, Morton Grove Pride, Parents with Pride, PFLAG Evanston, Sanctuary Evanston and Thrive With Pride also had informational tables at the event.
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