July 29, 2015

The Queer Pride Parade Committee announced yesterday that it will hold the first-ever Whidbey Island Queer Conference event, scheduled to take place this weekend, 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1  in Langley at WICA’s Zech Hall.

The program includes a screening of Sharon Shoemaker’s short film “A Tie to the Earth” about supporting LGBTQ youth in their journey, “TRANS 101″—a Presentation and Q&A with Skye Newkirk and a Poetry Slam & Open Mic.

The event comes as the prologue to this year’s Queer Pride Parade on Sunday, Aug. 2: the 2nd Annual parade in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and allies on Whidbey Island. People are encouraged to come celebrate on the sidelines or to walk, ride, skip, roll, dance—or whatever your preferred mode of transportation is—IN the parade!

Registration to participate is FREE and open to the public on the day of the parade. All participants are required to read the Guidelines & Information found at www.queerparade.com, where pre-registration is available but not required.

Beloved community member Charlie Murphy serves as the parade’s Grand Marshal, and this year the parade committee honors the first Royal Family: Rebecca Cleary, Bristol Branson, Allen Faith-Feyma.

Community members were nominated by their peers and will ride in the Royal Family Float as the finale to the parade.

Following the parade, a Potluck Picnic After-party will be held at Langley United Methodist Church from 4 to 6 p.m.

Bring a snack, dish, beverage or treat between 12 noon and 2 p.m., then come back to mix, mingle, enjoy the evening and wind down from the excitement of the parade!

Read the WLM feature by Katie Woodzick on the parade and Grand Marshal Charlie Murphy HERE. 

For more information, please visit www.queerparade.com or email queerparadellc@gmail.com.