The school bus driver from suburban Rolling Meadows, Illinois, said her son, a drag performer, had done a show at Pulse in October and has a close friend who lost a cousin in the attack. The only outward sign of the Orlando attack was a makeshift memorial of flowers, rainbow flags and candles clustered on a street corner a few blocks away. had already cranked the music to ear-splitting volume, energizing a crowd that included young clubbers, families pushing kids in strollers, and retirees. I would call it just living your life and not being scared to live your life."īy noon, a D.J. The annual two-day street festival in the Boystown neighborhood draws thousands of revelers and serves as a warmup to Chicago's even bigger Pride Parade the following weekend.Īttorney Kavita Puri said that after Orlando, the Chicago event took on even more importance. The attack left 49 people dead.Īt Chicago Pride Fest, security staff meticulously checked bags, unzipping each and every pocket, and extra police patrolled on foot in a highly visible presence. For more information, contact Jiwon Han at for a volunteer opportunity to get involved with cultural events at DSCC? Become a member of an Equal Employment Opportunity Office Special Emphasis Program.CHICAGO (AP) - The music was thumping and crowds were dancing Saturday at gay pride events around the U.S., with some revelers saying the partying was proof that people won't give in to fear after last weekend's attack at a gay nightclub in Florida.įestivals and parades went ahead under increased security in cities such as Chicago, Columbus, Ohio and Providence, Rhode Island, a week after a gunman fired on a crowd at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
The LGBT SEP meets the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. It’s not just for those who identify as LGBT – it’s for everybody. While the committee is responsible for planning the annual LGBT Pride Month event, Han said they also use monthly meetings as a place for fellowship and to find out what’s going on around the community. That event was also a success for the committee.īoth events led to increases in new members. Han is the process compliance branch chief for DLA Land and Maritime’s Business Process Support Directorate.Īt the Diversity and Inclusion event, the LGBT committee joined all of the EEO SEPs for a half-day event with booths set up in various buildings to teach associates about the various cultures and committees. His speech was very powerful and resonated with the audience, said Jiwon Han, who is in her second year as chairperson of the LGBT SEP Committee. He lost but received nearly 35,000 votes. He went on to run for Congress in the 12th district, opposing Pat Tiberi, on an open LGBT status. He joined Stonewall Columbus and eventually served two terms as its president. “I couldn’t publicly become active in the LGBT struggle, and that was difficult for me,” Goodwin said at the time.Īfter retiring from the Navy, Goodwin served in the Fleet Reserve and became more involved in LGBT concerns, particularly as it affected his relationship with his long-term partner. Goodwin, a Navy veteran and Columbus, Ohio, native, spoke of his experience as a gay man serving in the military in the late 70s to late 90s.
Goodwin drew a substantial audience for his presentation at DLA Land and Maritime. The LGBT committee’s Pride Month program “Celebrate With Pride” featured guest speaker Russell Goodwin, an LGBT activist and former Congressional candidate. Members get the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people, while assisting with cultural programs. The Installation Equal Employment Opportunity Office hosts more than a dozen Special Emphasis Program events throughout the year with the help of volunteers. COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Special Emphasis Program reported a spike in membership over the summer following their Pride Month celebration and participation in Diversity and Inclusion Day.