Sandwich restaurant hosts first-ever LGBT Pride event in town

The Bull Moose Bar and Grille in Sandwich hosted an LGBT Pride Night event on Friday, June 23, as part of National LGBT Pride Month.

The event, supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, was organized by Sandwich High School alum Dylan Boyer. Boyer has been active in LGBT causes, including starting the first gay-straight alliance at the high school.

Bull Moose owner Sue Saballus said of the event, “Pride to me means supporting all the good people out there; race, religion, sexual preference, etc. doesn’t matter. If you are a good, kind, caring person, I’m 100 percent behind you.”

Sammy Demke of Sandwich, a Bull Moose employee for more than two years and an openly gay woman, said she was overwhelmed with emotion and pride to be working for the first LGBT-themed night in Sandwich.

“I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” Demke said as she worked the night away wearing her rainbow apparel.

Sammi Hisaw of Sandwich, a Bull Moose employee for three years, said she was amazed that the town could come together and support the LGBT community. Hisaw said she hopes the Pride event will inspire other small towns to create visibility for the LGBT community.

“Love is love, and no matter what your beliefs are or who you choose to be with, we are all human,” Hisaw said.

The guests danced the night away to Lady Gaga, Diana Ross and Beyoncé by DJ Shane Surratt. The bar was decorated with rainbow colors, with rainbow beads for guests to wear. Pride night was such a success that the owners plan on hosting Pride Night 2018.