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2022 Festival

    Entertainment

    Nova Stella

    Madison Leslie

    Madison Leslie

    Madison Leslie

    Madison Leslie

    Madison Leslie

    Tia Douglas

    Madison Leslie

    Tia Douglas

    Onya Nerves

    Madison Leslie

    Tia Douglas

    Valarie Rockwell

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Valarie Rockwell

    Oso Chanel

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Valarie Rockwell

    RC Cola

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Kar Kar O'Daniels

    Karen Affection

    Carolina Beer Money

    Karen Affection

    Lolita Chanel

    Carolina Beer Money

    Karen Affection

    Carolina Beer Money

    Carolina Beer Money

    Carolina Beer Money

    Circus

    Carolina Beer Money

    Carolina Beer Money

    Video

    .

    Vendors

    Health

    Art & Personal

    Community

    • Union County Health Department
    • Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group
    • Priority Care, PC Melissa Jones, DO Direct Primary Care
    • Centralina
    • Mecklenburg County Public Health 
    • American Red Cross 

    Community

    Art & Personal

    Community

    • Freedom Center for Social Justice
    • Equality NC
    • Myers Park Baptist Church
    • Carolina Wildlife Rescue
    • Transend Charlotte
    • CCP

    Art & Personal

    Art & Personal

    Art & Personal

    • Union County Playmakers  
    • Iconografi
    • Harbinger Metalwerks & Sundries 
    • Whitestone Artware 
    • DreamSpree Studio
    • ImageZ Salon & Spa

    Youth

    Clubs & Organization

    Art & Personal

    • Time Out Youth
    • PFLAG Charlotte 
    • Angelene's
    • Gender Education Network 
    • Two Hearts One Language 

    House & Home

    Clubs & Organization

    Clubs & Organization

    • Robin Mann Realtor
    • State Farm
    • Gutter Helmet by Harry Hemet
    • Frank Summers, Certified Financial Planner
    • Leaf Filter

    Clubs & Organization

    Clubs & Organization

    Clubs & Organization

    • Wingate University - PRISM Club
    • Union County Democrat Party
    • NC Democrat Disability Caucus
    • Elect Jodi McCokey
    • Kevin Daniels for Union

    Events

    Festival in the Park

    Festival in the Park

    Festival in the Park

    Adult kick-off

    Festival in the Park

    Festival in the Park

    Teen kick-off

    Festival in the Park

    Candidate Meetup

    Candidate Meetup

    Festival in the Park

    Candidate Meetup

    Virtual Name Change

    Wingate Walkoff -Day of Silence

    Wingate Walkoff -Day of Silence

    Wingate Walkoff -Day of Silence

    Wingate Walkoff -Day of Silence

    Wingate Walkoff -Day of Silence

    Festival Food Trucks

    Sponsors

    Candidate Meetup: Sept 16 at East Franks

      Adult Kick-Off: Sept 17 at the Bottle Factory

      Day of Silence at Wingate University - 1st Planned Event

        Community-Wide Statement

        Community-Wide Statement

        Response to City of Monroe Resolution

        In just a few days, hundreds of supporters and volunteers, businesses and community organizations have come forward to embrace that Union County is a place where, no matter your race, gender, or who you love, everyone can live authentically with pride. We look forward to welcoming our friends and neighbors to celebrate a very happy Pride!


        Building Pride in Union will be a celebration and a place where our community can come together, learn about our LGBTQ+ loved ones, neighbors and colleagues, and enjoy each other's company. 

        In preparing for this year’s Building Pride in Union festival, Union County Pride, Inc. appreciates the thorough, courteous and professional way in which staff and officials from the City of Monroe have worked with Union County Pride to ensure that the events are safe and accessible for all participants.


        However, on September 13, 2022, the Monroe City Council meeting voted to request that Union County Pride, Inc. restrict one planned event - the Drag Queen Story Hour & Crafts – only to persons aged 18 and older.  Prior to the vote, the City Attorney informed the Council members that the City Council had no legal authority to restrict the event to adults only because the event is not a “sexually-oriented performance” or an “adult performance.”  The City Attorney is correct.


        As parents, family members, and community members, we would not do anything to harm children.  Contrary to the apparent misconceptions and concerns of the Council members, the Drag Queen Story Hour & Crafts event is not sexually-oriented or sexually suggestive.  The event is designed for, and will be attended by, children and their parents together.  Through diverse and culturally-inclusive children’s books, will affirm all children and families, the goals of the event are to "inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others.”


        As a community we support Union County Pride, Inc, Charlotte Area Drag Queen Story Hour, and all the vendors, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and attendees of the 1st Pride event in Union County. As parents, family members, and community members, we will support children, youth, and young adults to express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities and businesses, organizations to build a community of accepting people who build friendships and business relationships in Union County. 

        Reason for this Community-Wide Statement

        On September 13, 2022, the Monroe City Council meeting voted to request that Union County Pride, Inc. restrict one planned event - the Drag Queen Story Hour & Crafts – only to persons aged 18 and older.  Prior to the vote, the City Attorney informed the Council members that the City Council had no legal authority to restrict the event to adults only because the event is not a “sexually-oriented performance” or an “adult performance.”  The City Attorney is correct.

        To Read the City of Monroe's Resolution from Council

        • Cristal Robinson 
        • Joshua Jernigan 
        • Benji Gonzalez
        • Trey Cameron 
        • Kara Murphy
        • Frank Summers
        • Christopher Harbin
        • Cynthia Brown
        • KLee Smith
        • Melissa Easley
        • Anndei Chasnoff
        • Cress Barnes
        • Kevin Daniels 
        • Kristen Clark
        • Monica King 
        • Katelyn Kimbrell 
        • Ashley Broome 
        • Bethany Corrigan
        • Valerie Coia  
        • Erica Eason 

        •  Derek Kramer 
        •  Robin Mann 
        •  Jonathan Golian 
        •  Stephanie Griffith 
        •  Stephanie Myatt 
        •  Megan Tucker 
        •  Kryssi Easton 
        •  Connie Vetter 
        •  William Loftin 
        •  Holly Savoy 
        •  Kelly Durden Posey 
        •  Brooke Adams 
        •  Emily Peters 
        •  Marguerita Blaker 
        •  Sherry Mccoy 
        •  Elesha Ellison 
        •  John Rounds 
        •  Patricia Jorgensen 
        •  Dawn Pugh 

        • Marguerita Blaker & Associates, PLLC 
        • Gender Education Network 
        • Avance Care Midtown  
        • Walton Law Office
        • History for Jerks
        • Charlotte Trans Health  
        • Whitestone Artware
        • Drink the Movies 
        • Cirque du Cosplay
           

        • Sonya Deen 
        • Sarah Hawkins-Rushing 
        • Julio Amill 
        • Sophia Amill 
        • Stephanie Myatt
        • Colleen Ventura
        • Ann Charlesworth
        • Nathan Smith
        • Tabetha St Arnauld 
        • Eric Norman
        • Zuni Johnson
        • Stephanie Morency
        • Jen Parks
        • Alexandra Alcorn
        • Regan Smith
        • Josh Parel
        • Tracey McDaniel
        • Derek Patterson
        • Gloria Carmona

        • Helene Schilian
        • Candelario Saldana
        • Debra Hopkins
        • Jonathan Barrio
        • Becky Lawton
        • Kim Hayward
        • Diane Walton
        • Louis Kemp III
        • Louis Kemp
        • Micah Belong
        • Rebecca Freeman
        • Eve Rogerson
        • Noah Granade
        • Sara Irvin
        • Jeffery DeNio
        • Jennifer Patterson
        • Nicholas Reigle
        • Alexis Stadler
        • Joe Hunsaker

        • Karen Futtersak
        • Michelle Holleman
        • Courtney Heinze
        • Kaysey Flanagan
        • Lindsey Carver
        • Annette Prosterm
        • Holly Zipperer 
        • Lisa Hoffman 
        • Anna Sendgikoski 
        • Michaela Wood 
        • Courtney Diliberto 
        • Amanda Faleschini  
        • Emily Allen 
        • Nicole Sparks 
        • Cheri Dennis 
        • Lisa Dudzik 
        • Brenda Huelle
        • Ramona Sonner-Myers
        • Michael Patric
        • Susan Graffius

        Sophia Amill

        Patricia Jorgensen

        Patricia Jorgensen

        "It is baffling to me that this council has decided for themselves that now being who you are is inappropriate. We now need to “protect our children” from people who are being their true and authentic selves… It’s truly disturbing to think that this council has turned something as innocent as “Drag Queen Story Hour & Crafts” into a “Sexually-orientated performance” that should only be attended by people 18 and older. "

        Patricia Jorgensen

        Patricia Jorgensen

        Patricia Jorgensen

        "Diversity is not a threat to anyone. The ability to be who we are is an inalienable human right. Just like with anything else if you feel so strongly about something don't do it. But you do not have the right to dictate what someone else can do. Stop pressing your beliefs off on others."

        Elesha Ellison

        Patricia Jorgensen

        Elesha Ellison

        "I support equity and equality among all people regardless of any label. To be a community, there must be unity. Acceptance. Compassion. I hope you agree.  I will not help support a county that does not value all its members. We all have rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "

        K

        Melissa Easley

        Elesha Ellison

        In line with our commitment to equity we are reiterating our support for Union County Pride, and the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide. This an an opportunity for all of us to come together and to affirm that being authentically oneself is something to be celebrated.

        Melissa Easley

        Melissa Easley

        Melissa Easley

        As a former educator, a parent, a statewide advocate, and a candidate for Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board in District 1.


        I wholeheartedly support reading to children and for all to be their authentic selves.

        Brooke Adams

        Melissa Easley

        Melissa Easley

        "The fear and resistance to Union County Pride and the Drag Queen Story hour demonstrate the need for this event.  Hopefully we can all learn to live together with respect and peace."

        Kevin Daniels

        Jennifer Ratajczak, LCMHCS

        Jennifer Ratajczak, LCMHCS

        "I'd be angrier if I believed that any of these council members actually believed what they were saying. We know they don't. They're pathetic politicians echoing ignorance to appeal to their idiot voters. 

        Rather than using their platform to promote peace and correct misinformation, they're using it to stoke the flames of hatred.


        If violence breaks out, and individuals on either side are hurt, I hope that we can find a way to hold the city council responsible."

        Jennifer Ratajczak, LCMHCS

        Jennifer Ratajczak, LCMHCS

        Jennifer Ratajczak, LCMHCS

        "Drag Queen Story Hour poses no threat the psyches of children, nor their development. However, it is damaging to children to send the message that diverse gender expression is perceived as damaging by adults.

        City council's resolution is damaging and misinformed. Gender diversity is a natural part of human diversity. Systemic transphobic messaging is one of the highest risks to the mental health of gender diverse young people, as well as damages their gender typical peers.

        As a psychotherapist providing care for LGBTQ children in the county, I can attest that Union County has an identifiable problem with hate towards the amazing LGBTQ youth that live and attend schools here. Not only is this resolution damaging, these types of diversity events are therapeutic and needed.

        The council's messaging propagates division, hate, fear and disinformation. It is my hope that the under-informed council take time to attend trainings and LGBTQ events to better educate themselves on their biased assumptions as a part of increasing competency and decreasing harm related to misguided attempts to protect the children of our community."

        Media

         

        1. Union County set to hold its first ever Pride festival in September
        2. Union County hosts first Pride festival at Monroe park
        3. Union Co. Pride organization says library was forced to end participation in September Pride events
        4. Union County hosts first Pride festival at Monroe park

        Leadership Team

        President/ VIP

        Treasurer/ Education

        Secretary/ Artist

        Cristal Robinson, (she/her/hers)    

        Secretary/ Artist

        Treasurer/ Education

        Secretary/ Artist

        Joshua Jernigan (he/him)

        Treasurer/ Education

        Treasurer/ Education

        Treasurer/ Education

        Cynthia Brown (she/her)

        Vice President - People

        Vice President - Festival

        Vice President - People

        Emily Allen (she/they)

        Vice President - Events

        Vice President - Festival

        Vice President - People

        Madison Frank (they/them)

        Vice President - Festival

        Vice President - Festival

        Vice President - Festival

        Benjamin Gonzalez (he/him)

        Community Coordinator

        Disability Coordinator

        Disability Coordinator

        Kara Murphy (she/her)

        Disability Coordinator

        Disability Coordinator

        Disability Coordinator

        Laura Casey (they/them)

        Interfaith Coordinator

        Disability Coordinator

        Interfaith Coordinator

        Rev. Christopher Harbin (he/him)

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        Union County Pride, Inc

        UnionCountyPride@gmail.com

        704-370-9797

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