P  RIDE 2008

Belleville's First Annual Pride Street Fair: Celebrating Diversity and Equality was held on June 21, 2008. It was Sponsored by "Metro East Gays and Straights" (MEGS) founded by Janet Brannon, Barbara Arms and Janet Wright. The speakers included Mayor Mark Eckert (click here to read the Mayor's address), Lynn Clapp, Human Relations Council. Public officials in attendance included County Board Chairman Mark Kern, Illinois Representative Tom Holbrook and Alderman Dorothy Meyer.

 Other speakers featured Marcelo Tenorio, the first immigrant from Brazil granted amnesty due to sexual orientation and the threat to his safety; Charles May, historian from Springfield, IL; Derek Slay , vice-president of the Historical Society; Pastor Dianna Scarlet-Thomas, The Well of Living Waters Ministry and Sherry Haskins.

 The musical entertainment featuring Summer Osborne, Common Sense Zero, Covering Fire and Kimmy V. was enjoyed by everyone.

 Booths at the fair included Reverend Carol Shanks, Bethel United Church of Christ, Cahokia, St. Paul United Church of Christ and the Gay/Straight Alliance, SIUE and many other vendors.

 We were pleased with the attendance. Some of the attendance statistics are:

  • Over 600 wrist bands were issued to adults
  • Estimated 1,000 in attendance
  • The street was closed around noon until 10 p.m.
  • The weather was beautiful, with a brief cooling shower early in the day
  • There were NO incidents throughout the event—everything went smoothly and peacefully
  • A multi-cultural crowd, from young children to senior citizens

 

PRIDE 2009

The second annual Metro East Pride Festival was held on June 20, 2009. The festival encompassed 3 city blocks of downtown Belleville, IL. It was a full day of events, live music and entertainment. Many social, educational and religious organizations were among the 66 Vendors that lined the streets of Belleville. Club Escapade was named "The Home of Metro East Pride".

The main attraction at the 2009 Festival was Belleville native, Lea DeLaria. She performed several of her jazz ensembles and part of her comedic act to a crowd of approximately 3,000 people.  


PRIDE 2010

The third annual Metro East Pride Festival was on June 19, 2010 in downtown Belleville, Illinois. The festival was held on West Main Street in the shadow of the historic fountain from noon until 10 p.m.

Despite the heat and late afternoon thunderstorm, festival goers browsed the many booths and food vendors along "Wagaman Way" and listened to a myriad of inspirational speakers and live entertainment. Highlights from the main stage included Rick Garcia from Equality Illinois and comedian, Trish Busch.

"Our message this year was that Metro East Pride was for everyone," said Colby Kluthe, 2010 Vice President of MEP. "And that is just about who I saw there. Everyone!"

Kluthe pointed out that while the festival took on a spirit of homecoming for residents and visitors alike, the mission of Metro East Pride is about Diversity and Equality.

"What occurred in 2010 became more about Unity," Kluthe continued. "Our entire region converged to celebrate as one people, as one St. Louis."

Metro East Pride Festival is the first festival to kick off the Pride season in the metropolitan area which also includes St. Louis Pridefest and St. Louis Black Pride.

 

PRIDE 2011

Early morning storms subsided to usher in a picture perfect day, June 18, for the 4th Annual Metro East PrideFest downtown Belleville.  Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI), which organizes the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied celebration estimated attendance for the West Main street event to be at 5,000.

Pride goers of all ages browsed some 50 booths ranging from LGBT organizations and non profits to religious groups, supportive businesses, food vendors and kids corner.

Representatives from the regions three LGBT Pride committees were on hand and the camaraderie and mutual respect was in full view as the presidents of each organization (Tyler Hill, Pride St. Louis; Audrey Pearson, St. Louis Black Pride and Sarah Baldwin, MEPSI) helped judge a last minute dance competition.  

Emcees Courtney Landrum from Y98 and the incomparable icon, Dieta Pepsi warmed up the crowds from the Pride stage which showcased an upbeat array of acts, including Jennifer Norman, POWjr72, Summer Osborne, You’re Not Kablamo and EarthSol.

Belleville’s own David Dover (Sophia Cavockovitch) returned for a rare performance and to announce the MEPSI Royal Court – Roxie Norwood and Out of Sync (Miss/Mr. Metro East Pride) and Butterscotch and Trevor the Love Muscle (Queen/King of Club Escapade).

In an emotional tribute, Freeburg, Ill. native and St. Louis drag diva Bobb Kehrer (Khrystal Leight), the reigning Miss Queen of Pride, paid tribute to his brother-in-law Sonny Pitts who received the 2011 MEPSI Spirit Award. Also honored were Club Escapade owners Rick Hembree and Harold Schwartz with the 2011 Brenda Grissom and Dixie Ruliffson Community Service Award.

Since 2008, Metro East Pride has served as the official kickoff to Pride Season in St. Louis. The festivities continue June 25-26 with St. Louis PrideFest and St. Louis Black Pride Aug. 19-21.