For the second year in a row, EQuality Downers Grove (EQDG) held its Pride Fest on June 7 at Fishel Park in Downers Grove, one block away from the downtown shopping district. This is the fourth year EQDG has held a Pride Fest in Downers Grove.
Members of the public and elected officials gathered to take in the festive and colorful atmosphere and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community under the EQDG theme for this year, “You Belong.”
EQDG Co-Chair Kathryn Deiss welcomed everyone and thanked everyone who made the day possible.
Deiss also said, “We hope you have a fantastic time today … celebrating, dancing, having fun and meeting up with new and old neighbors.”
EQDG Treasurer and Board Member Dave Humphreys said, “As a kid growing up here, if somebody had told me that all these events would be taking place in Downers Grove in my lifetime, I would have thought they were crazy. But here we are. Despite some scary activities at the national level, here we are. But as we celebrate today, remember that we have a responsibility to act.”
Humphreys then read the Pride Proclamation from Downers Grove Mayor Bob Barnett and Downers Grove Village Council members which was declared at the Village Council meeting on June 3 with EQDG in attendance.
“WHEREAS, members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to face discrimination and mistreatment that no one should ever face; and,
WHEREAS, the Village of Downers Grove supports the rights of every individual to experience equality of treatment and freedom from discrimination, and;
WHEREAS, any discrimination based on history, gender, age, disability, race, religion, sexuality or social-economic status is antithetical to the values of our Nation, our State and our Village; and,
WHEREAS, the Village of Downers Grove believes in fairness and equality, and values our diverse population of both residents and businesses and their guests, recognizing that in such diversity lies one of our community’s greatest strengths; and,
WHEREAS, we recognize that in order to build upon this diversity, and maximize the potential for benefit to our community, it is essential that equality of opportunity and the absence of discrimination, be at the core of all the Village’s policies, procedures and efforts; and,
WHEREAS, as long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are negatively affected; and,
WHEREAS, the intrinsic human dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law; and,
WHEREAS in Downers Grove, we strive to build and sustain a culture of hope, love, understanding, and respect of our common humanity,
Now, therefore, I, Robert T. Barnett, Mayor of Downers Grove proclaim June 2025 as Pride Month in the Village of Downers Grove and I call upon the businesses and residents of Downers Grove to work together to ensure and defend equal rights for all, regardless of sexualorientation or gender identity, to encourage our residents to reflect on the premise that in America’s diversity lies our greatest strength, and, to urge all residents and businesses to respect and honor our diverse community and, to continue to build and celebrate a culture of inclusiveness and belonging for all.”
Humphreys said, “These [Proclamation] words align very well with the mission statement of Equality Downers Grove. ‘EQDG is creating an accepting and equitable environment for LGBTQ+ people through education, support, social action and advocacy. We partner with allies to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community and envision a community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.’ We need the help of everyone in this park, and beyond, to accomplish this mission … We’ve got work to do, but today, let’s have some fun.”
Elected officials in attendance were 81st District Illinois state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (who represents Downers Grove and other surrounding Chicago suburbs); Downers Grove Village Council members Mike Davenport, Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt, Tammy Sarver and Martin Tully (four out of the six members) and DuPage County 4th Subcircuit Judge Christina Kye.
Stava-Murray said, “It’s incredibly important for elected officials to show up and support all of our communities, especially the LGBTQ+ community during this time of unprecedented federal attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and trans individuals in particular. We know this has happened locally as well. Our library was under attack last year because of the events it put on including a drag queen bingo. As a state rep, I’m constantly out here celebrating our LGBTQ+ community and enjoying the amazing talents and everything they have to offer us.”
Last year’s Drag Queen BINGO event was canceled due to sustained anti-LGBTQ+ opposition.
Kye said, “I think it’s important that the LGBTQIA+ community knows that the rest of the community is behind them. That includes members of the judicial and people in the criminal justice system. We’re here for you.”
Sadowski-Fugitt said, “It honestly means everything to me to be here today. It’s so powerful to have the mayor recognize that inclusivity, representation and visibility is important for the LGBTQ+ community whose human rights and just basic humanity is under attack right now.
Sarver said, “It means everything to me. In fact, one of the points that I ran on when I was running for commissioner was equality and equity for everybody in our community. I am proud to be a part of this community that is so open-minded and embracing of people’s differences.”
Tully said, “I’m really glad to be here for my second year in a row. This festival has really grown. I’m so proud of EQDG for having been a relatively start-up organization and in a short amount of time [it] has really accomplished so much in our community and beyond. … And I think the Pride Proclamation and this Pride Fest is a great way to show it in a very positive way.”
Kye also judged the people and pets costume parade and contest alongside Humphreys and EQDG volunteer Leigha Harap with EQDG Board Member Jeff Wood serving as the emcee.
The event also featured a food truck from Dope Sandwich, DJ Matt from Sound Sonic Entertainment spinning tunes, balloons donated by Misha Mical of Downers Grove’s Oak and Rush Events, activities, games and many sponsor tables.
Additionally, EQDG sold “You Belong!” tee-shirts designed by Sami Mark and paid for any downtown Downers Grove business to have their storefronts painted to celebrate Pride Month.
