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Photos show sign inSpokane Pride Parade. Below, Hana and Henry Reinhardt carry the Veradale UCC banner. Photos by Gen Heywood of Veradale UCC

Pride events express solidarity with LGBTQ community

The Spokesman-Review reported record-breaking crowds, with estimates of more than 27,000 attending and 100 groups in the Spokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival in Spokane on Saturday, June 8.

The parade’s theme this year was “To Thrive, Not Just Survive,” with the Rainbow Festival and an evening fireworks show.

Gen Heywood, pastor of Veradale UCC, reported that there were more families and children of all ages participating.

“The parade was so long that the beginning finished before the end began,” she said.

The Spokesman Review quoted Michael Jepson, OutSpokane’s parade coordinator, that more than 1,500 marched.

There were also fewer protests than in previous years with just five people in the designated protest area, across from the Riverfront Park fountain.
Along with many of Spokane’s UCC, Lutheran, Episcopal,

Presbyterian, Reform Jewish and other faith communities, parade participants included employees of companies such as Sephora, Starbucks, Nordstrom and Pemco Insurance, and organizations like PFLAG, Gay Straight Alliance clubs from some Spokane high schools, and the Trevor Project.

For information, call 509-926-7173.

 

Plymouth UCC pays parade group fee

Plymouth UCC in Seattle is helping organize and promote the 45th annual Seattle Pride Parade—recognizing also the 50th year since the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which was a catalyst for the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, said Steve Davis, executive minister.

It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, June 30, meeting at 4th and Union in Seattle and proceeding 2.5 miles to the Seattle Center. Plymouth has paid the group fee for any Seattle area PNC church to participate as UCC churches of Greater Seattle.

Steve said about 30 UCC members have participated in the past. Each church can choose what it will do. Overall, there are usually more than 300 groups in the parade.

The community-wide celebration advances awareness of LGBTQ issues and promotes mutual respect and equal human rights for all, he said.

It features participation of some Seattle brands, businesses, community groups and civic leaders, as well as the faith community.

For information, call 206-932-2928.

 

Rendon UCC Pride Month display vandalized

Renton Christian UCC had set out a Pride Month display with six rainbow colored doors saying “God’s doors are open to all.”

On June 17, the display was vandalized, doors were knocked down and tried to set one on fire. Church staff discovered the vandalism Monday morning.

KIRO said that because it is considered a hate crime, the FBI is involved in investigating it.

The Rev. Cynthia Meyer, pastor at Renton, said neighborhood parents who heard about the vandalism brought their children to the church to paint a new door. They bolted down the display so it can’t be knocked over again, and colored the sidewalks with positive messages. She said many members are in the LBGTQ community. The doors were knocked over again two days later.

For information, call 425-226-3080.

 

Pacific NW UCC News - Copyright © Summer 2019

 

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