COVER STORY
Naper Pride Fest
I think the diversity and vibrancy of our communities might come as a surprise to some people outside DuPage County.
I wish some of those people could have joined us at the Naper Pride Fest last Saturday. For the third year in a row, the Naper Pride Organization hosted a family-centered, Naperville-focused celebration of LGBTQ residents, with the goal of bringing together people from all walks of life in a celebration of inclusivity. (That’s Anne Dempsey, Naper Pride’s director of health and wellness, on my right, along with two of the many volunteers who made the day such a success.)
At the Fest, I was deeply impressed by the work that’s being done by so many committed people in our communities. I had a good talk with Corvin Ezri, founder of the Prideful Path Project, which focuses on LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent education, trainings, and workshops. I also met people from Youth Outlook, which connects LGBTQ+ youth with health care options and resources for both physical and mental health.
I also spoke with members of the Wheaton Ally Collective, which is made up of affirmative churches, youth outreach groups, and PFLAG, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. You can contact the Collective at [email protected] for their list of supportive local businesses.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes and learn more about these organizations that do so much to make our communities welcoming to all.