Paint Ohio proud

The LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay kicked off Pride Month with the annual rainbow Ohio street painting on Main Street Monday evening. Volunteers and spectators took over the intersection of East Main Cross and South Main streets to kick off Findlay's multi-day, multi-location pride celebration. From Thursday through Sunday, the organization is hosting events across the city to celebrate being a part of an inclusive community. Monday's painting kicked off the upcoming eventful weekend. While not officially June yet, Spectrum of Findlay Board President Jasmin Bradley wanted to have the painting ready for June. Volunteers with LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay completed the annual Ohio street painting Monday evening. ANGELA LAROSA / The Courier Pride Month, celebrated throughout June, pays tribute to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, celebrates and commemorates members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-plus communities. June was first recognized as Pride Month in 1999 and 2000 by President Bill Clinton. "I think that a lot of people think we're having a big party," she said. "But for me, pride is about getting our voices heard and having conversations in the community about why we need these events. It's a moment of activism." Bradley said Pride events in Findlay kicked off in 2003 but 2019 was when the event went from a couple hundred people to a couple thousand. She said their Pride Month celebration is expecting around 5,000 people to interact and participate in some way. "It's about raising voices and inclusion but also modeling that it's a community we want to live in and people should feel safe to live here," she said. The rest of the week is also full activities for everyone, including a mixer with an open bar, drag bingo, yoga in the park and a Pride in the Park festival. A new event is also included during the week at False Chord Brewery featuring live music. "We're just really appreciative of the support from a lot of the businesses downtown," Bradley said. "These events are really community-in-action, people who can come together with a specific goal in mind." As the years passed, Bradley said they see an impact year after year. She said it's really important for queer people to see other queer people surviving and thriving in small towns. She said Findlay is a wonderful community and the work to make it more inclusive will only make it better for everyone. "We don't always have to agree, but the No. 1 thing we have to do is always respect each other. We don't have to understand where they're coming from but we can find a place at a human level to respect one another," Bradley said. She said putting on all the events is a huge effort and she's proud of the community for stepping in to help out and volunteer. There's no one person who can do this alone and she is thankful for all the support the organization has received. Want to go? Thursday, June 1 Saturday, June 3 Sunday, June 4 Pride Pre-Party Mixer When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Where: False Chord Brewing, 326 S. Main St., Pride Month Mixer When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Hancock Hotel, 631 S. Main St. Yoga in the Park; Pride in the Park When: 9-10 a.m.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Riverside Park Pride After Party When: 6-11 p.m. Where: Crawford Street Drag Bingo & Brunch When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Findlay Inn, 200 E. Main Cross St. Cost: $50 Gypsy Tattoo & Piercing Fundraiser When: noon-6 p.m. Where: Gypsy Tattoo & Piercing, 220 S. Main St.