Tennessee Valley Pride celebrations will be held Tuesday-Sunday. The main event in Chattanooga will be the 2014 Pride Festival Celebration on Sunday at Ross' Landing, from noon to 7 p.m.
“We encourage everyone to join us and be a part of city wide pride,” says Marcus Ellsworth president of Tennessee Valley Pride. "This year’s newly elected TVP Board have worked diligently to set the precedence that Pride is an all-inclusive community event. We are opening the door for everyone to join us and celebrate by showing support for the area's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community.”
Free to the public, this event will include food, entertainment, vendors, and a Kids Zone.
Other events leading into the Tennessee Valley Pride Festival will include an interfaith service at St. Elmo United Methodist Church on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This service is put together by all local affirming churches in the Chattanooga area.
The City Wide Pride Festival kickoff begins on Friday with local businesses across the city flying Pride flags to display their support in celebration of Pride. “This is a way our entire city can get involved and celebrate the diversity of our beautiful community in a positive and affirming way,” says Tennessee Valley Pride Vice President Kat Cooper. Supporting businesses will display rainbow flags to show their support and raise awareness regarding the LGBTQ community. Businesses that choose to will also provide ways for patrons to make donations to Tennessee Valley Pride.
The Nooga Glo Run for Equality begins Saturday at dusk by the Hunter Art Museum. Proceeds from this event benefit local LGBTQ non-profits such as Chattanooga’s PFLAG Chapter, TVP, and the new Nooga Diversity Center. All participants will be provided a Glo for Equality packet that includes: a T-shirt, Glo items, token to the DJ Glo party, and a free door cover for the late Glo after party at the Big Chill on the Northshore.
Visit www.tennesseevalleypride.com for more information.
Sponsoring organizations include Cigna, TMobil, The Big Chill, Thrive, Nooga Diversity Center, Chattanooga PFLAG, Equality Everywhere, Tennessee Valley Pride, Tennessee Equality Project and Chattanooga CARES.