Second Annual Youth Pride Fest is May 9 in Oak Ridge

The second annual East Tennessee Youth Pride Fest will be held in Oak Ridge on Saturday, May 9.

Organizers said the festival will celebrate diversity.

“The fun planned event is an opportunity for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth and their friends and allies to celebrate themselves through awareness, visibility, and pride,” a press release said.

The Youth Pride Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge. The church is located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, the corner of Lafayette Drive and Oak Ridge Turnpike).

“All East Tennessee LGBTQ youth, friends, and allies under the age of 21 and their parents are invited,” the press release said.

There is no charge to attend. Youth can register at youthpridefest.weebly.com. All registered youth attendees, parent, and helpers will receive a free lunch.

The release said students from Oak Ridge High School GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance), Clinton High School GSA, and members of Oak Ridge PFLAG (Parents, Friends, Families, and Allies United with LGBTQ People to move equality forward) are leading the planning of the Youth Pride Fest. There will be a rotation of life-enhancing seminars followed by an afternoon of fun, games, music, and informational booths. The event will end with an open mic coffee house.

Morning events will include a “speed meet” and seminars that will include “Addressing the Clobber Passages,” led by local ministers; “Activism,” led by members of the Tennessee Equality Project; “HIV 101,” led by counselors from Helen Ross McNabb; and a self-defense class, transgender seminar, a writing workshop, an ally workshop, and a parent session.

Groups interested in sponsoring a youth-appropriate booth at the festival may contact Christina Elliott at [email protected] or [email protected].

Sponsors are needed to help make the festival a success. Event organizers are looking for groups or individuals who wish to support the East TN YPF with monetary donations, publicity, food, or prizes. If interested please contact Oak Ridge PFLAG President Anne Backus at [email protected]. Additional information and updates on the YPF are available online at youthpridefest.weebly.com.