Families and individuals gathered Saturday for a four hour event in Evanston’s Ridgeville Park for the third annual Evanston Pride LGBTQIA Community Picnic.
The event — sponsored by Evanston Pride — featured games, crafts, more than 20 information tents or tables and a Queer Maker’s Market. Attendees could enjoy purchased fare or bring their own picnic instead.
The schedule of events included free dancing lessons from the Firebrand Second City Country Dance Association, a performance by Lakeside Pride’s Tiny Bubbles Ukulele Ensemble and Drag Story Hour with Alexis Hex.
“It’s so much fun, I love doing this,” Hex said, who read aloud children’s picture books under shady trees along the park’s Ridge Avenue playground.
Both in Western hats, after the group completed country line dancing lessons with picnic attendees, Ruth Lipschutz of Evanston did a swing dance with one of Fireband’s teachers Herb Moore of Roscoe Village.
Dancing, “is life, for me,” Moore said.
“It’s like the highlight of my life, he’s (Herb Moore) a great teacher,” Lipschutz said about dancing.
Lauren Wszolek of Hoffman Estates was seen country line dancing too with the large group of participants.
“I was really excited,” Wszolek said with a smile about the chance to dance.
Each year, Evanston Pride donates 20% of proceeds from Pride Month fundraising to local nonprofit organizations working on behalf of the LGBTQIA community on the North Shore. This year’s recipients were Brave Space Alliance, Rebirth Garments and Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook.
The Evanston Public Library, Open Studio Project and the Evanston Art Center had a community picnic presence also.
Rada Yovovich, a founding board member of Evanston Pride and the organization’s co-president, said about the turnout, “It’s pretty good, it’s a good vibe.
“I can’t tell you how thankful I am for this amazing weather,” the North Side of Chicago resident said. “We just couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’m really thankful for such great energy and so many people showing up especially immediately following the hate act that happened.”
Three small Pride flags with “pride death” written on them were found in the city. Police are investigating the incident and haven’t ruled out a hate crime.
“In the face of hate, we rise with love and resilience. This act of hatred only strengthens our commitment to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and fearlessly,” read a statement from Evanston Pride’s website. “Together, we will turn adversity into an opportunity for education and understanding. Let us continue to stand tall, proud, and unyielding, spreading love, empathy, and acceptance as we pave the way toward a future where every individual is celebrated for who they are.”
Yovovich is an Evanston business owner, grew up in Evanston and graduated as part of Evanston Township High School’s Class of 2002. The Evanston Pride organization was launched in November of 2020 and achieved 501c3 status at the beginning of 2021.
“We have a long history of challenges, setbacks, and violations of our people in our community and we just keep showing up time after time,” Yovovich said. “I couldn’t be more proud.”
The Free Mom Hugs organization had a tent, offering hugs to persons welcoming the greetings.
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“The reason that we give hugs is that they are affirming. The purpose of Free Mom Hugs is to affirm everyone, no matter how they identify,” said Kristine Binder of Norwood Park, State of Illinois chapter leader for Free Mom Hugs. Binder is a cisgender woman who has a gay son Jack.
“There are a lot of people in their lives that have not been affirmed by people that love them and people that don’t understand who they are,” she said. “To give a hug is an affirmation of you as a human being,”
Max Shanks, 11, a rising sixth-grader of Evanston, showed pride by wearing flags.
“I got bullied when I was in fourth grade and I changed schools,” Max said, who recalled starting to use they/them pronouns in second grade, “I’m pretty sure.”
Being at the Evanston Pride picnic as a welcoming place feels, “really good,” Max said. “You can be queer.”
Maria Requena of Logan Square wore a flag tucked into a ponytail which sent a positive message, Requena said.
“It’s really fun and important because it just kind of shows that support, that community solidarity,” Requena said.
Parents Liz and Ashley Leverentz of Evanston attended with their children Seamus, 7, a rising second-grader from Evanston and Jude, 3.
“We are not only an LGBTQ family from Evanston, we both are educators (parents), we are very dedicated to supporting our LGBTQ family and fighting for our rights because right now we know that our rights are at stake and so we just want to be in community with others that are liked minded,” Liz Leverentz said. “We should all have the same freedoms as everyone else.”
“We should be able to live comfortably and be loving out loud,” Leverentz added. “Luckily we live in Evanston where I feel like we’re very supported.”
Learn more about Evanston Pride at https://www.evanstonpride.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
