I never thought this would happen in Aurora," Peters said. "Today is a day of celebration and acknowledgement of who we are. We are thrilled that Aurora has decided to show its pride for the gay community," she said.Ĭarla Peters was part of the New England Congregational Church. "It gives us a little bit of comfort knowing we are accepted in the suburbs.
Hasty, 60, said she has two children with her partner. "We have been open and affirming to everyone," Kris Hasty said. It was one of the first churches in the area to have civil unions, church members said. The Aurora church is considered a "frontrunner" in the LGBT community. "The hot weather did keep some of our friends away," he said.Ībout 85 people from the New England Congregational Church led by a 1929 Model T were near the front of the parade. Skeesick came with about 15 people, but he said the group would have been larger had it not been so hot. "For individuals, the parade is a form of affirmation," Adams said. The parade featured various groups, including 11 churches and synagogues. Indivisible Aurora Executive Director Chuck Adams, who is an ally to the LGBT community, said it was organized as a family parade. The city of Aurora partnered with Indivisible Aurora, which approached the city about hosting a Pride Parade on Father's Day earlier this year. Parade Grand Marshall Jim Corti holds up a sign during the Aurora Pride Parade in Aurora, IL on Sunday, J(Sean King/Beacon-News) Pride Fest in Mokena: A day to celebrate and educate »
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He's professional boxing's first openly gay athlete - and Chicago's honoring him at Pride, Puerto Rican parades » "It's been very slow in my lifetime, but acceptance is edging out into the suburbs," he said. “The parade is a sign that things are changing. "We have never seen this in the suburbs," said Skeesick, 44. Skeesick had only praise for Irvin as a mayor he described as "inclusive" and "supportive" of the LGBT community. "Clearly the city of Aurora embraces its diversity," St. Elgin stood at the corner of Stolp Avenue and E. Many said the first-ever Pride Parade in Aurora has them feeling hope.Ī contingency of friends from Geneva, St. Those who were there said they came to show their gay pride in the suburbs regardless of the weather. Original crowd estimates were reduced in large part due to temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat index in the triple digits, according to officials from Indivisible Aurora, organizers of the parade. Muhammad estimated there were some 5,000 parade attendees, along with some 3,000 that were actually in the parade.Ī group of people arrive early to view the Aurora Pride Parade in Aurora, IL on Sunday, J(Sean King/Beacon-News) "When we talk about the City of Lights, these rays of lights come in all colors, shapes and forms," Muhammad said. Some said they usually attend the Pride Parade in Chicago.Ĭlayton Muhammad, Aurora director of communications, said the "One Aurora" theme has been part of Irvin's administration since he first took office in April 2017. Many of the spectators celebrating their sexuality - accompanied by lots of friends and family - were decked out in colorful beads and leis, and waving Pride flags. The parade stepped off at noon from Benton and River streets and traveled through downtown.
"Today signifies One Aurora," Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said as he walked in the parade.
It was only four months ago that the Aurora City Council voted unanimously to award a permit for the LGBT Pride Parade. The lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community from throughout the suburbs attended Aurora's inaugural Pride Parade Sunday afternoon.