Cook County Pride Rally and March will be held June 26

The Cook County Pride Committee has announced that the Pride celebration is making a return after a year off.

This year’s theme “Celebrate in Solidarity,” highlights the joy of embracing and affirming those we love after the long darkness of the pandemic.

Please join Cook County citizens, business owners, families, clergy members, public servants, artists, and elected officials on Saturday, June 26, at 5 p.m.

Starting at the Harbor Park, this special event will feature a short march, speakers from the community, live music, and joyful socializing. All community members are invited to celebrate together and show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Attendees are asked to follow all laws, treat each other with respect, and use appropriate language. Some in the community cannot receive the vaccine for health reasons, so facemasks are required.

Pride month commemorates the Stonewall Riots in 1969, where LGBTQ+ New Yorkers rose up against unfair and discriminatory laws. Ever since, LGBTQ+ people have rallied in June to protest government indifference to the AIDS epidemic, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” marriage bans, myriad anti-transgender policies, and more. Pride is not only a rallying call for LGBTQ+ people and their allies, but a celebration of joy during the struggle for equality.