Kalamazoo Youth Pride held its second event on Saturday, June 28, providing LGBTQ+ kids a safe place for them to be themselves. Many kids came with their parents and grandparents, while others came with supportive friends looking for a sense of belonging.
The event, held this year in the Westnedge Hills Neighborhood, provided a closed-off area for the kids and their support adults to relax. Volunteers acted as security to make sure only people connected to Youth Pride could enter.
Similar to Kalamazoo Pride, Youth Pride provides a place where LGBTQ+ persons can feel safe. Youth Pride, however, doesn’t offer alcohol, nor is sexualization encouraged among any attendees.
There was music, face painting, activities, games, and plenty of friendly adults, making it almost indistinguishable from any other area event for kids.
