Metro East Pride 2009

BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER

If there is one thing Belleville, Illinois does well, it is throw a street party—and the gay community is getting in on the act. On June 20 the 2nd Annual Metro East Pride Festival gets underway on West Main Street in the shadow of the historic fountain. The area around the Belleville Square is the site of many celebrations including Oktoberfest, the Chili Cook off and Art on the Square—the nation’s number one art show.

Metro East Pride, a project of the Coalition for Economic and Social Justice, was founded last year to produce the first of its kind gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Pride Event for the surrounding communities that comprise the Metro East. Last year it is estimated that 1,000 people attended the event.

"I was pleasantly shocked that everything went as smoothly as it did," said Doug Bernier, Fundraising Chairperson for Metro East Pride. "I thought there was going to be some trouble because it’s Belleville. I’ve lived here all my life so I know and I’ve seen and I’ve read different things that have happened discrimination wise—and not just towards gays. Belleville used to be a city known for discrimination but now, obviously, things have gotten better."

Indeed, the event held outside Club Escapade (West Main and 2nd Streets) was picture perfect with a stage humming with the talents of area bands; speeches from local politicians and community leaders, including Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert; and area businesses, organizations and eateries providing booths.

"We’ve just begun," explained Bernier. "In order for any movement that you have—I don’t care what kind of organization it is—the second year is probably most pivotal because now you’ve started something—don’t make it look as if this was just a one time thing. We’re here to stay so it’s very important that we continue on."

For the most part, residents of Illinois towns like Belleville and Alton identify as being a part of Metropolitan St. Louis as do their GLBT communities. But at the same time there is equal pride taken in their hometown(s), which includes gay bars and businesses, and the general understanding that when it comes to equal rights; the Land of Lincoln is far more progressive than Missouri.

According to Bernier, Pride St. Louis and other Gateway City GLBT organizations have been supportive of the Illinois event from day one. Metro East Pride organizers view their festival, which is held the weekend prior to St. Louis’ PrideFest, as a great way to extend the June celebration and bridge the two communities which straddle the Mississippi.

"We’re going to play off of each other," said Bernier. "We are Belleville, Illinois but we are a part of the St. Louis metropolitan area so it’s very important that we feed off of each other."

This year’s festival is expected to surpass last year’s event in both size and scope. Spanning the first two blocks of West Main Street, the celebration will include a plethora of booths ranging from food and drink to local businesses and organizations, as well as arts and crafts. There will be activity on the Mainstage throughout the day and evening including speeches by community leaders and politicians; performances by Band Together and Fruit Jam and a steady lineup of local entertainers, all culminating with headliner Lea DeLaria, the nationally known actress/comedienne/jazz singer and former Belleville native.

"Before we went to the city to get permission to block off the first two blocks of West Main Street we needed to get approval from the businesses," explained Bernier. "It had to be a majority of businesses who were behind us and we got 100-percent. We’re talking anywhere from eateries, to lawyers, to the mental health society; all these businesses along here were so excited because it’s helping them."

Fundraising for this year's Metro East Pride Festival has been going on year round. The organization has held several events including a rummage sale, trivia night and bar crawl.

Organizers are expecting large crowds and accordingly, have hired the Belleville Police Department to provide foot patrol throughout the event.

For more information on Metro East Pride check out their website www.metroeastpride.com

You can email Colin Murphy at colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net