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Whittier’s first-ever gay pride festival will be held in September, and although it still needs a final sign-off from the City Council, it is receiving an outpouring of community support.
About 50 people showed up — 16 spoke — in support on Wednesday before the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, which voted 5-0 to recommend green lighting the festival. It’s planned for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at Central Park.
The City Council is expected to consider the permit at its Aug. 13 meeting.
Whittier YouthBuild, a nonprofit charter school for ages 16-24 billed as a “dropout recovery school” and housed by the Whittier YMCA, is sponsoring the event.
Commission Chairman Kevin Kennedy said his vote in favor of granting a permit wasn’t based on his support or nonsupport of the festival but rather what he called “empirical factors.”
“The fact that it’s a social and political group should be irrelevant,” Kennedy said. “It either meets the criteria for using the park or it didn’t.”
Before the vote, merchants, ministers and community members asked the commission to support the festival.
“I can think of no reason to deny the request,” Layne Beamer, pastor for First Christian Church, said.
“There may be opposition, but I would urge the commission to take this as an important step in ensuring social justice and civil liberties to all of our citizens,” Beamer said. “Don’t pander to fear-mongering and become guilty of discrimination.”
There was one resident at the meeting who voiced concerns. Jessica Martinez of Whittier worries about the behavior she’s seen in other pride festivals.
“There’s been nudity and indecent behavior,” Martinez said. “This should be limited to an adult-oriented audience. We need to see how our residents feel. We have no control over who attends. We need answers to all of these questions.”
Commissioner Delia Morales had similar concerns.
“I have been to several gay parades and seen people wearing only a jock strap,” Morales said. “I don’t think that’s appropriate for Whittier.”
But Morales, who eventually voted for the permit, was assured by Greg Alaniz, park, recreation and community services director, who said he doesn’t foresee problems.
“This is a family-friendly event,” Alaniz said. “I feel comfortable in recommending you move forward.”
Blythe Leszkay, a member of the committee putting it on, said the event will be similar to other festivals held in Whittier while different than the “big-city gay pride events.”
For example, it will have food trucks, live entertainment in the form of dancers, singers, bands and other; 30 vendors, which may include Whittier businesses; and games and activities for youngsters, Leszkay said.
“The primary goal is to have a day of inclusiveness in the city,” she said. “We are welcoming of all religions, races, gender and orientation. We really want to promote an inclusive environment for the LGBT youth of Whittier.”
“It’s going to provide a safe place, a place where they can be themselves and feel comfortable with who they are,” she said.
The festival is garnering support from nearby churches, which are providing their parking lots, as well as the business community.
Sandra Hahn, owner of Crepes and Grapes Cafe and vice chairman for the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce, said the festival will be good for business.
“I’m excited to see the diversity,” Hahn said. “It will be great for the Uptown. It will create traffic and ambiance. It’s an opportunity where we can partake.”
Citing her personal experiences as a lesbian, Melissa de la Cruz said the event is important to her.
“I was an adult disowned by my family,” de la Cruz said. “This day is a very big day for me. People need to feel accepted and loved.”
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