In Focus
By Claire Miller
Pride and Joy Rainbow UA set to host second annual Pride event
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Kathy Adams, one of the founders of Rainbow UA and the first LGBTQ city council member, reads a proclamation in honor of Pride Month from the city. 12
May/June 2022 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Hideta Nagai
elebration. Love. Joy. Community. Pride. Upper Arlington will make space to celebrate the rainbow spectrum of the LGBTQ experience with the second edition of Rainbow UA’s Pride festival on Sunday, June 5. The event begins at 1 p.m. at Mallway Park. Last year’s celebration was a major success for the new group, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in February. Rainbow UA members had no idea what to expect when planning the inaugural event, says co-founder Jillian Maruskin. “We were really impressed by the amount of people that came out, particularly the amount of families,” she says. “So, when we sat down after it was over, we were really adamant about keeping it as family-friendly as possible and as focused on our youth here in the community as we can, because they seem to be just super excited about it. That was kind of the impetus for this year.” Organization members took everything they learned from year one to cater the day even more toward kids, preteens and teenagers. The event exclusively features vendors and food trucks with local and/or diverse owners. A stage with live entertainment hosts both school and local groups. Drag performances, which were a hit with all ages last year, return to stage this year. Community organizations booths, including Stonewall Columbus, GLSEN and Kaleidoscope, will provide educational resources and information about their services. Pride goers can also relax in shaded tents and a teen lounge space.
