6-7 Thursday, July 6, 2017 BREAKING LGBTQ Pride Parade and Festival to celebrate gains in struggle for acceptance Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, their families, friends and supporters are invited to the the Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride Parade and Festival starting with the parade at 11 a.m., followed by the festival from noon-4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Hilo. This year’s theme is “Beyond Boundaries.” “During a time when many seek to put up walls between us, we challenge everyone to look beyond the boundaries of separation to a mindset of welcoming, acceptance and inclusion,” says Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride president Greg Lupton of the theme’s meaning. Parade participants are encouraged to reflect “Beyond Boundaries” in their marching contingents and a prize will be given to the entry that best reflects this year’s theme. “What we’re trying to do is get people thinking,” Lupton says. “It’s as much a question as a statement. What boundaries are out there that I need to get beyond and encourage others to get beyond?” The parade starts at the intersection of Ponohawai Street and Kamehameha Avenue, and winds through downtown Hilo via Kilauea and Keawe streets, turning makai on Waianuenue Avenue onto Kamehameha Avenue and ending at Mooheau Park Bandstand. This year’s grand marshal is Kimberly Dark, a lesbian activist, writer and performing artist. Approximately 25 units — businesses, community groups, churches, and politicians — will march this year. After the parade, the festival will take place at the bandstand and in the surrounding park area. There will be entertainment by the Groovy Lesbian Band & Tim at noon, fabulous drag queens and kings at 12:45 p.m., the Puna Men’s Chorus at 2 p.m., Smack Dab at 2:30 p.m. and Anomaly at 3:30 p.m., as well as various speakers throughout the day. There also will be other informational booths and craft vendors, and the “best food vendors on the island,” Lupton says, including TNT Snacks, Any Kine Wontons, the Salad Experience, Wiki Fresh, Kula Shave Ice and Krishna Creamery. The event is meant to be a family affair, with activities such as face painting and a treasure hunt. “We try to create an environment where the children can be actively engaged in a way that’s appropriate for children,” Lupton says. “We have several parents on the committee and, of course, they need to be active at the festival but still be with their kids. This is part of the mindset that we continue to try to build on. We’ve found that it encourages interaction with everyone — children, parents, vendors — that may not have happened otherwise.” Committee vice chairwoman Beverly Yates-Tese agrees. See PRIDE Page 9 By KATIE YOUNG YAMANAKA Special to the Tribune-Herald
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