Local LGBT non-profit Yellow Brick Road hopes their second annual pride fest helps the area better accept the LGBT community.
They’re holding Rock the Pride in Beloit’s Telfer Park on Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m.
Yellow Brick Road President Jen Schuler says everyone of all backgrounds and identities is welcome to the event, which will feature a safe, family-friendly evironment.
“Between Janesville and Beloit, Beloit is more culturally diverse. They’re more accepting of everybody and everyone,” Schuler said. “We need Janesville to let us come into their community to help let people see that we’re just the same as you.”
Last year, Yellow Brick Road’s first pride fest exceeded their expectations, and Schuler said they’ve seen a lot more interest from vendors and businesses this year.
The event will feature food, live music, a pride pageant and even drag queen races, where runners have to put on a full outfit before they pass the finish line.
Schuler hopes that celebrating LGBT diversity with other cultures will bring the entire community together.
“I want to be able to hold my girlfriend’s hand when I go into Woodman’s [grocery store] or when I’m walking the park in Janesville,” Schuler said. “I get rude comments. The other week, I was called a f—-t.”
The Beloit City Council declared the week of August 18th as Pride Week leading up to the event.
