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mokenamessenger.com news
the mokena messenger | June 13, 2019 | 3
Sunshine and pride cast upon Mokena at festival
Yasmeen Sheikah
Freelance Reporter
“You’re not alone, there are
people who will be there for
you and accept you for who
you are,” said 17-year-old Jack
Lindsey, former president of
Gay Straight Alliance at Lincoln-Way
East. “You do you
and go out and slay.”
Pride Fest took place on Saturday,
June 8, at Yunker Park,
10925 W. LaPorte Road, and
featured a variety of different
vendors, activities and performances
for people of all ages
to enjoy. More than 500 people
were in attendance as the Pride
Fest kicked off from noon-8 p.m.
Activities included giant Jenga,
a magic show, dancing and
more. Vendors had activities
and sold products from food,
homemade soaps, and even
gave away free seed to plant
flowers to represent growth and
acceptance.
One of the booths on the
prideful day was PFLAG. The
organization is the largest of
its kind and prides itself as a
group that unites families with
those who are members of
the LGBTQ+ community. At
the booth was board member
Kathy King-Watters of Tinley
Park.
“We came out here last year
and it was amazing,” she said.
“We brought with us today safe
cards which can be placed in a
car or a window to let members
of the LGBTQ+ community
know they are safe near that
person and that they are accepting
of the community. It
can be confusing for parents,
for kids apart of the community
at first, but we’re here to
help them adjust and accept
by telling them that this is still
their child and to love them the
same.”
Kerry Kraemer, a member
of Moms Demand Action, was
spreading another message at
her booth by encouraging people
to get involved in her organization
if they wish to have
stricter gun laws.
“I lost my stepfather to suicide
by gun,” Kraemer said.
“We decided to come out here
today because we don’t want
any member of the LGBTQ+
community to feel unsafe or
that there is something wrong
with them.”
Other vendors sold products,
such as Elevated Arts located
on Front Street. Jeremy James
and Maggie Bisaga were selling
crystal rocks to help with
anxiety and depression.
Rocks painted in rainbow colors display messages of support.
“I’m a spiritual medium,”
James said. “We’re here today
to read people’s aura and tell
them the energy we are receiving.
This is our first time at
this event and we love the acceptance
and think it is a great
thing to have in Mokena.”
Event coordinator Charlotte
McIntosh said they started
planning the event in January
Please see Pride fest, 6
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Arrena Baker Dixion, 16, tries her hand at a Jenga game during Pride Fest Saturday,
June 8, at Yunker Park. Dixion came out to support those she knows in the LGBTQ+
community. Photos by Yasmeen Sheikah/22nd Century Media
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