Will County LGBTQ organizations plan more Pride events, programs

As Pride Month continues, pro-LGBTQ rights groups in Will County are planning events and programs to benefit their communities well into the summer.

More Pride groups have been formed in Will County over the past few years and they have planned events, especially during the month of June, to celebrate the LGBTQ residents of their communities.

In 2019, the Joliet Pride Network hosted the first Pride Festival in the city, though it was cancelled during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The organization announced on Sunday it will be holding its second Pride Festival on Sept. 25, again at Bicentennial Park.

The group added that it will release more details on the event and that it’s seeking volunteers. For more information, visit the Joliet Pride Network Facebook page.

Bolingbrook Pride celebrated Pride Month by painting “pride positivity” on the sidewalks behind Bolingbrook Village Hall earlier this month, according to a news release.

The organization will continue its programming throughout the summer.

It’s holding a Pride Decor contest to both Bolingbrook and Romeoville businesses and residents. Submission of photos, both inside and outside, will be accepted via email until June 28. Trophies will be awarded to the top home and top businesses.

For more information, including on the rules of the contest, visit bolingbrookpride.org/decor.

Bolingbrook Pride is also accepting applications for four $500 scholarships for LGBTQ students from the class of 2021 who reside in Bolingbrook or Romeoville, and who graduated from a school in either town.

The deadline for applying is Aug. 1. Awardees will be notified on Aug 9. For more information, visit bolingbrookpride.org/scholarship.

Those wishing to donate a scholarship can call 708-752-5949 or email bolingbrook.pride@gmail.com.

The founders of a new group, Plainfield Pride, said they aim to hold Pride events in the future. For now, the group is selling inclusive LGBTQ Pride flags to raise money for the planning of those future events.