Last year, roughly one million people lined the streets to watch. This year, big crowds are expected Sunday for the event which is an integral part of Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood.
"We are fortunate to be kind of the epicenter of that. Everyone knows Northalsted as the LGBTQ center of Chicago. But north, south, east and west there are Pride events from different organizations going on throughout the month," Kevin Barbeau, executive director of the Northalsted Business Alliance,said.
Part 1 - Our Chicago: Celebrating Pride Month In Northalsted
Daveon Mason is a board member of the Northalsted Business Alliance and the General Manager of SWAY, a queer owned dispensary which is connecting with the neighborhood and with customers in several ways this Pride Month.
"We have been partnering with different non-profits like Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Gay Black Men's Caucus. We do work in-store where we display different community artists, local artists that are part of our community and allies. And so, we display their artwork and 100% of those proceeds go directly to those artists. So, we support our community that way. We do local events monthly and throughout the year. And we connect with our businesses on the streets to hold events for our customers, you know, to responsibly enjoy cannabis." Mason said.
Part 2 - Our Chicago: Celebrating Pride Month In Northalsted
"Being a queer owned dispensary and operated dispensary, like, everyday is Pride to us. But this month, like, is really great for us because we get to highlight what we do for our community," Mason said.
Barbeau says the role of the Northalsted Business Alliance is like that of any chamber of commerce, supporting their businesses.
Nearly 30 years ago, Mayor Richard M. Daley designated the Northhalsted corridor as the city's official gay neighborhood.
"From top to bottom, at all city levels and departments, the LGBTQ+ community is respected, appreciated and have a voice at the table both at the Mayor's office and with anyone we talk to. Whether at the aldermanic level or any of the rooms down there at City Hall." Barbeau said.
"So that our community in Northalsted and the larger LGBTQ+ community in Chicago was seen and recognized so we could work to that point of getting that proclamation, getting that respect that was long deserved for our community," Mason said.