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H-F community has array of opportunities to celebrate Pride Month

Although the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor are not sponsoring big festivals this year, and haven’t since the pandemic began, there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community.

The next Pride Month celebration will be part of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Starry Nights concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, at Irwin Park in the 1800 block of Ridge Road in Homewood.

While listening to the music of Final Say, people can stop by the Homewood Business Association and Flossmoor Business Association booths. The two organizations will partner to hand out glow sticks and freeze pops in honor of Pride Month.

The organizations will also be accepting donations for the Lighthouse scholarship program. Lighthouse is a nonprofit organization that supports local LGBTQ+ youth. 

The next event will be a rehearsal by the Pride Community Choir at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, at the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway. 

Choir Director Carrie Bonanotte said in a Facebook post that the choir is open to anyone. 
“Lift up your voices in celebrating our LGBTQ+ community with song. You need not be a singer to participate,” she said. “We want you, exactly as you are, to add to the celebration.”

The choir will perform at the biggest event of the month, hosted by Flossmoor Community Church on Friday, June 24.

The Pride Month event from 5 to 8 p.m. at FCC will be a return to where H-F pride celebrations began. The church hosted the first community-wide celebration five years ago.

The family-friendly evening will offer food from Dunning’s Market, cocktails, merchandize benefitting LGBTQ-owned businesses and causes, music, entertainment and photo ops, according to Brooke King-LaBreck, FCC communication and connection director.

“Recognizing that Pride celebrations will likely (hopefully!) return to being village-hosted festivals in the future, FCC is glad to hold space for this meaningful community event at the Community House where it originated,” she said. “In addition to uplifting our LGBTQ+ neighbors and welcoming the community to add their voices of love and inclusion, much of the celebration will benefit the Lighthouse LGBTQ+ Scholarship Fund.” 

Sponsors for the event include Jonathan Kane Salon & Spa, The Spotlight Performance Academy, Flossmoor Community Church and more.

Then on June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. Lighthouse LGBTQ will hold a “Pride takeover” at the Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery. DJ Phil Lee and special guest star DJs will provide the music for a night of fun and food.

The organization will be accepting donations for its scholarship program.

Pride Month observances began earlier, even before the month began. 

Lighthouse LGBTQ awarded its first scholarship at the May 18 Homewood-Flossmoor High School scholarship awards ceremony.

At the Flossmoor’s Zip Code Party on June 4 pride shirts were sold, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the scholarship. 

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