Intersectional advocates hold Pride Month gathering

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A crowd of several dozen from all ages, including supporters of South Bend Black Lives Matter and various LGBT+ rights community groups met for a socially-distanced celebration in honor of Pride Month under Central Park Pavilion Saturday.

From the Stonewall riots 51 years ago Sunday, to the Supreme Court’s ending of gay marriage bans five years ago Friday, to shining light on recent uprisings against police brutality, organizer of Saturday’s event Zoe Davis-Bey said all are meant to be connected.

“Sometimes I just don’t feel welcomed, because you look around the room and you’re the only one who looks like you,” Davis-Bey said. “I feel like there needs to be more marketing towards people of color in the LGBTQ+ community and just saying ‘Hey, you are invited to come into this space as well.’”

Both racial justice and Pride in Michiana are especially important to Peg Faulmann, a United Church of Christ minister in South Bend, who says it’s an obligation to use her faith to be an ally.

“This is my time and I can’t waste it,” Faulmann said. “I can’t leave this life knowing that I rued not being able to be in the first civil rights movement and not taking part in this. It’s my time to shine, and help shine light on others.”

After the event R Bar, one of Michiana’s best-known gay bars, hosted some attendees - the owner herself trying to get her business to rebound amid the pandemic.

“(The LGBT+ community) is family,” Owner Amy Gatchell said. “To be able to have them back and you know, see how happy they are to be back here where they know they’re safe and can mingle with everybody, it’s great. It’s a great feeling.”