Editorial: Pride progress but more work to be done
The suburbs have come a long way in embracing the LBGTQ+ community, as a host of Pride Month parades and fests emphasizes.
While Pride parades have been a tradition for a half century in Chicago, they are relatively recent additions to the suburban cultural landscape. The Chicago versions are lavish, colorful and at times more than a bit edgy. Suburban events tend to be tamer and more family friendly, but they're just as important. They are celebrations of life and love for a proud community that woven into the fabric of suburban life.
The suburbs are home to great diversity, where what makes residents different and unique is also the strength behind why this region is a great place to work, live and play. And, yes, most important, to be ourselves. But while there is visible progress, there also is more work to be done.
Many suburbs issued proclamations supporting Pride month and a few raised the Pride flag over village hall. But some officials cited concerns the flagpole could be used as a public forum and invite the presence of hate speech.
More chilling are recent attacks on suburban Pride displays, and offensive and negative comments made by a handful of attendees at some local government meetings. How sad that bigotry and hate-mongering in any form, directed at any person or group because of race, religion or sexual orientation is present today.
But the actions of those narrow minds should not overshadow the many suburban residents stepping up to embrace the LBGTQ+ community in recent years with a message of inclusion and acceptance.
More Pride Month celebrations and events have been created since that inaugural Pride parade in Aurora in 2018. Not even COVID-19 could dampen this year's roster, which has included Pride drives in Aurora, Buffalo Grove, Waukegan and Wheaton and other fests and celebrations in Naperville, Elk Grove Village, the Tri-Cities and Woodstock. Decorated houses, lawns and cars, food, music and other entertainment marked truly joyous events.
In Buffalo Grove, 40 people - many of them middle school and high school students - rallied at a village board meeting last week urging the village to raise the Pride flag at village hall. Village officials decided it will fly over Rotary Village Green throughout June.
"People are looking for a way to show that they are on the right side of history. Companies and organizations, if they didn't already have an inclusive group, an LGBT group within, they are emerging," Carolyn Pinta told our Steve Zalusky recently at the Buffalo Grove Pride Drive her family organized.
Inclusion, not exclusion must be the way forward. The message must be all are welcome. For the LGBTQ+ community, it starts with one month.