Church to Host First Pride Event in Geauga County

CHESTERLAND, Ohio – For the first time in Geauga County, the Chesterland Community Church will host a Pride Month celebration.

The celebration will take place on June 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Place Chardon and it is not the first time that the church has shown its support for the LGTBQ+ community.

“We started hanging a Pride Flag for Pride Month in 2016,” said Megan Carver, co-chair of the church’s Social Justice Committee.

The Pride Flag, hung at the corner of Wilson Mills and Caves Roads, is a sign that everyone is welcome at church, regardless of sexual orientation.

However, the flag was flown several times in the church.

“[The pride flag has] actually been stolen over 50 times,” Carver said. “We would set it up and within 12 hours someone would take it.”

The church tried to install security cameras to catch the thieves, but encountered technical problems. Instead, the church hung three rainbow flags from the trees on the property to deter them from being caught.

Carver said there was an outpouring of support last year when community members heard about the thefts. She said locals donated new flags to the church and people across the country reached out to offer their support.

“The community was amazing,” Carver said.

The church decided it wanted to give back to the community this year by hosting a Pride event.

“It’s almost like the Geauga County coming out party,” Carver said.

Mary Briggs, a local resident, is also helping organize the event and said the celebration is long overdue.

“It’s important to me to identify the diversity of my county,” Briggs said.

For more information about Pride in Geauga County or to get involved, Click here.