It doesn’t take an affiliation with a club or organization to make a difference – just a north-pointing moral compass and a passion to do the right thing. Just ask Williamstown resident Sherrie Kennedy.
Kennedy took it upon herself to plan Monroe Township’s first ever LGBTQ+ celebration, which is scheduled for June 28 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Pfeiffer Community Center on Blue Bell Road.
Kennedy, the mother of a lesbian daughter, said the origin of the event came from her daughter’s attendance of a pride event in Bridgeton. This made her want to plan something in the community she calls home.
“It’s important for our community to have inclusion,” Kennedy said. “Bring the community together, kids can make friendships out of it. They can develop a local support system.”
After a quick Facebook survey – which received way more positive than negative feedback, according to Kennedy – the event was born. Kennedy said she scheduled two planning meetings, one on June 14 and one on June 21. She added the planners reached out to the high school LGBTQ+ club.
“We’re looking for complete community involvement and inclusion,” she said.
Kennedy described the event to be a casual, free and family-friendly event that will include music, face painting and light refreshments. In addition, Kennedy noted Robin’s Nest and Planned Parenthood will be in attendance and will have tables to discuss what services and resources are available. An open microphone will be available to anyone who wishes to speak about their experiences.
“We’re looking for a safe space for kids to express themselves and be free,” Kennedy added.
Kennedy used her connections with Lead The Way and Sustainable Monroe Township to assist in planning the celebration. She noted this year and month specifically are important in the LGBTQ+ community, being June 28 and 29 mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riot. Paying homage to what is considered the birth of the LGBTQ+ rights movement is important to the community.
Kennedy said she will consider her inaugural event a success if there is a good turnout. She expanded, saying if a monthly support group comes of it, the celebration will be a success.
“If anybody goes and sees a resource table that can help them, that’s another success,” she added.
One of her goals is to pitch this idea to council at an upcoming meeting in the hopes of having a township-wide celebration planned for 2020. Holding a grassroots celebration in 2019 is a great start.
For more information about the celebration, visit the Facebook event “Love is Love – Celebrating Pride.”
