Enid Pride scheduled for September 10

The theme for this year's Enid Pride is "Heroes."

Enid Pride is an annual family-friendly event presented by the Enid LGBT Coalition, featuring live entertainment, vendor booths and food trucks. This year, the LGBT Coalition will be hosting their sixth Enid Pride event, held September 10 at Government Springs North from noon to 6 p.m. “Come celebrate the hero in all of us – all are welcome!”

The 2016 Enid LGBT Coalition Board members are TJ Ramos, Chair; Robert Hayes, Vice Chair; Rachel Moore, Secretary; John Moon and Zach Blackburn. Their goal with Enid Pride 2016 is to celebrate human resilience and to illuminate the support that is available. This year’s theme is “Heroes.”

Every year, Enid Pride pledges to celebrate diversity, to provide the LGBT community with a family-friendly celebration and to promote understanding and education that is appropriate for people of all ages. They promise to build relationships by demonstrating Enid Pride’s commitment to the pursuit of excellence and the creation of unity, and they promise to be of service to all members of the LGBT community.

The Enid LGBT Coalition estimates that this event now attracts about 1,000 visitors annually from all across the region. The coalition is dedicated to “serving the needs of our diverse community by building connections and by encouraging acceptance through Contributing to, Communicating with, and Connecting with all members of our community.”

Enid Pride is run by an all-volunteer committee and is funded by sponsorships and donations. It is a not-for-profit event and does not support any paid staff. Enid Pride appreciates the support from Sisters of the Sacred Heartland, Oklahomans for Equality and Freedom Oklahoma and welcomes the new church sponsorships of Central Christian Church in Enid and Puritan Congregational UCC in Drummond, OK.

The Enid LGBT Coalition will continue to retain bullying and suicide prevention efforts, support pet adoptions, host a SPAM event, host a social evening of cards and games on the second Saturday of each month and host movie nights on the fourth Thursday of each month, as well as provide resources for the community. The coalition is a member of InterPride, which has a vision for a world where there is full cultural, social and legal equality for all.

If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor for Enid Pride, the deadline is August 15. Potential sponsors, vendors and volunteers are encouraged to visit the webpage at www.EnidLGBTCoalition.org or the Enid Pride Facebook page. Vendor payments may be made through PayPal on the website donation page or by mailing a form and donation to P.O. Box 775, Enid, OK 73702.

To get in contact, email enidpride@yahoo.com or lgbtcoalition@yahoo.com, or call 1 (800) 878-5298.

The Gayly – September 1, 2016 @ 11 a.m.