Following the abrupt cancelation of this year's Cleveland Pride festival, the LGBTQ community is planning another event.
The event will take place the same day the festival and parade was originally scheduled—Aug. 13.
Location, time and entertainment information has not yet been released.
Event organizers include: Phyllis Harris, Executive Director of The LGBT Community Center, Cleveland City Councilman, Kerry McCormack; State Representative, Nickie Antonio; City of Cleveland and Dept. of Economic Development, Kevin Schmotzer and members from the following organizations: The LGBT Community Center, Plexus, HRC Cleveland Steering Committee, GG9, Stonewall Democrats, Stonewall Sports Cleveland, WH2, Dare2Care, Margie’s Hope and Equality Ohio.
In a statement released last week, president and CEO of Cleveland Pride, Inc Todd J. Saporito cited security concerns as the reason for the cancelation. The statement read in part:
We have been entrusted by our community to create a secure parade and festival environment for our LGBTQ brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, friends and allies. Because of the changing social climate, Cleveland Pride did not have enough time to engage in the development of awareness programs and training that we believe is critical in today’s environment. Therefore, we regretfully cancelled our 28th annual parade, rally and festival this year.
Saporito does not appear to be involved in the planning of the new event.
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