When Aaron Yeager was a freshman at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, he only knew of two boys who were out as gay.
“Out of about 3,000 students,” said Yeager, who grew up in Munroe Falls and now lives in Akron. “There were no models for being a gay man. When I was growing up, I felt very alone.”
This is one reason why Yeager, now 37, is helping organize a Pride Festival in Stow. “We all need to feel that sense of community. We need to feel safe and have fun.”
The
Stow-Munroe Falls Pride Cookout
will be from 1 to 4 p.m. June 21, at the Leona Farris Lodge in Silver Springs Park. It is hosted by Stow Collaboration for Change, in partnership with the Stow-Munroe Falls DEI Initiative, the Stow-Munroe Falls Democratic Club, and the Stow-Munroe Falls LGBTQ Crew, along with council members from Stow and Munroe Falls, as well as school board members from the district.
The free event will include:
- Traditional cookout food, plus vegan, gluten-free and non-pork culinary options. No alcohol will be served.
- Performances by drag queens, as well as DJ sets.
- A selfie station, with Pride props.
- Cornhole, bocce ball, ladder ball, and outdoor Twister.
- Friendship bracelet crafting.
- Face painting.
- A 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.
In addition, food and hygienic items will be collected for the
Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center in Akron
. The multicultural resource center offers comprehensive care for all LGBTQ+/SGL individuals. It is the only statewide LGBTQ+ drop-in facility, and offers testing, housing referrals, mental health support, anti-violence programs, a food pantry, clothing closet, community meals and discussions.
“I think that the highlight will be the community coming together in joy to celebrate one another and the value and beauty that diversity brings to Stow and Munroe Falls,” said Ross Widenor, Munroe Falls City Council president and one of the event organizers. “I think that in the minds of some, Pride is an event reserved for large cities and bringing in famous headline performers. But queer people exist everywhere, and so it’s valuable to have an event focused on our own neighborhoods that enhances the connections to one another right here in Stow and Munroe Falls.”
Events such as Pride festivals are critical in today’s political climate, Widenor said.
“Unfortunately, the queer community, and especially trans people, have seen an unprecedented level of negative attention from our own federal and state governments in the form of policies attempting to restrict basic rights to exist and participate in society,” Widenor said. “This is why I think Pride is more important now than ever, and there’s even more value in bringing it close to home. To offer a statistic, according to the Trevor Project, more than 1 in 10 queer youth attempted suicide in the past year, but for those who reported living in welcoming communities, that rate of self-harm was cut in half. We have the chance to be that light to someone on a dark day.”
Kari Suhadolnik, vice president of the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education, said that she was excited that a Pride event was coming to Stow.
“I’m hoping that everyone who attends the Stow-Munroe Falls Pride Cookout leaves feeling welcomed and valued,” Suhadolnik said. “There’s room for everyone in this community, and events like this are a chance to show that. Representation matters because when people see themselves in community leaders, it shows they belong and that their voices matter. It helps build connection and trust within the community.”
Yeager said he was an advocate for mentorships and hoped the festival would provide a way for those who are LGBTQ+ a chance to make friends and connections.
“If you live your life like you have to hide part of yourself, it will create a mess inside,” Yeager said. It’s possible to work through that and become more like yourself, to feel free and joyful.”
The Leona Farris Lodge is at 5027 Stow Road in Stow. For event details, visit
https://givebutter.com/c/mldfOR
.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal:
Stow Collaboration for Change organizes first Stow-Munroe Falls Pride Cookout
