Rainbow Weekend will bring plenty of LGBTQ+ friendly events to Kent on Oct. 17-19.
The week’s festivities started Oct. 13 with a workshop on inclusion for businesses, and will continue Oct. 15 with a Community Ally and Safe Space Training from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kent Free Library. Most activities, however, will be Oct. 17-18.
Events include a makers market, live entertainment, a movie premiere and three drag events, including Drag Bingo.
A full list of events can be found on Main Street Kent’s website.
Why is Kent’s Pride event in October?
Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent, said Rainbow Weekend takes place in October because it’s LGBTQ History Month. It’s also important to include Kent State University students in the festivities. She added that Kent State isn’t in session in June, which is LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
“We want people to know that Kent is a welcoming and safe community, and we are welcoming all people,” she said.
Many of the events were previously coordinated by the LGBTQ+ Center at Kent State University. However, the center closed over the summer in response to Senate Bill 1. Malarcik said the business community and residents have stepped up, adding events and helping with planning of activities.
“In a time of division, a lot of people are taking the time to send the message that Kent is a good place to be,” she said.
How to register for events
While many of the activities are free and most don’t require advance registration, some events − including the Rainbow Weekend 5K and “Handmade with Pride” event and Kickball tournament being organized by Kent Parks and Recreation − require tickets to be purchased in advance. Proceeds from the tickets of all three of those events benefit the fund created by the Portage Foundation to support LGBTQ+ students in Portage County and their families.
Some of the events where registration is required or encouraged include:
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Rainbow Weekend brings ‘visibility’ to Kent’s LGBTQ+ community
Reporting by Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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