| The reading of the annual Open Door Pride Proclamation stating June as Open Door Pride Month occurred on June 2nd at Sturgeon Bay City Council meeting. Open Door Pride founding member and Chair Cathy Grier, and Vice Chair James Champion were present to accept this groundbreaking proclamation. What is so empowering and important is that we have been able to encourage the City to issue a month long Proclamation. The World celebrates June as Pride month in part to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in June, 1969. The riots were a clash between gay rights activists and police at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, that spurred nationwide advocacy. The clash and resulting social movement are considered a watershed moment in LGBTQ history. Due to COVID-19 and safety and health concerns, this year’s worldwide Pride Festivals are either postponed, cancelled or are having virtual Festivals. We find it interesting to share NYC’s Heritage of Pride’s response. And of note about Heritage of Pride, Inc. is the volunteer-directed organization behind the official NYC Pride roster of events. Heritage of Pride’s mission is to work toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law.They do this by producing LGBTQIA+ Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community Open Door Pride is a Door County organization with a similar mission. It was not an easy decision to cancel our June 27th 4th annual event in Martin Park. We hope to come up with unique ways to move forward to celebrate celebrating our Pride and to continue to inspire our Community to join together in new ways to celebrate our diversity. “We stand with Black Lives Matter and are angered and saddened by the loss of so many black, brown, and queer lives by those who seek to keep us down. Click here to read about those who have been so violently taken from us.” We will be partnering with Door County Black Lives Matter to continue the healing and awareness of these truths. Our goal is to help educate and bring together our community during this time of deep reflection and healing from long held prejudices within our society. We are all in this together. Other notable news is Wisconsin’s State Capital will once again fly a Pride flag. Excerpt from the executive order by Governor Evers: “Publicly displaying the Rainbow Pride Flag has become an important visual symbol of support for the LGBTQ community,” ….”The people of Wisconsin have made critical steps toward LGBTQ equity, but we recognize that there is more work to do to ensure that every person in our state is treated with respect and experiences full equality in their lives.” For the first time in our history, Sturgeon Bay will also fly a Pride Flag for the month of June. This important distinction means that we are represented by our Government. The City has determined the best location in Martin Park (corner 3rd Ave and Oregon Street, by the band shell). We’d love you to take pictures of yourself and share with us. We have also sent invitations to all Door County administrators to join Sturgeon Bay in flying a Pride Flag for the month of June. We look forward to their support. Consider calling your town administrators and ask if they are planning on flying a Pride flag. We are stronger together. Pride symbols big and small make a difference in the richness of our society, which is only made stronger when we celebrate and accept our diversity. As of this post Egg Harbor and Sister Bay have voted to fly Pride Flags in their towns. Thank you! We would love your involvement. We are always looking for new members. Email us for more information or visit our website or social media for more info. info@opendoorpride.org https://opendoorpride.org facebook, instagram and youtube |
| We Need Your Support!Open Door Pride is made possible solely by the support of community members like you. We are a 501(c)(3) so your donation is tax meaningful. Stand with us to affirm our community’s diversity through inclusion for all! |