July 26th, 2010
By: Jesse Arms (Belleville)
By: Jesse Arms (Belleville)
Metro East Gays and Straights (MEGS) celebrated 5 years of achievements at Club
Escapade, in downtown Belleville, on July 24. Among the achievements is the
formation of a Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
chapter, completion of a 3rd annual Pride Festival, and the establishment of a
monthly meeting for transgender people in the Metro East.
Over 50 people attended, including Rose Wilson from the Human Relations
Commission, Colby Kluthe, Executive Director of the Daniel Mcree Foundation, Dr.
Steve and Teresa Schmidt, founders of the Belleville chapter of PFLAG, and Mark
Harrell and David Pardue, owners of the ranch in Caseyville, the site of the
first gay rodeo in the Metro East.
Receiving a certificate of gratitude were Bill and Helen Whicher and Paul and
Sue Sutherland for their pioneering efforts on behalf of lesbians and gays in
the Metro East. Both couples are members of St. Paul United Church of Christ in
Belleville.
Submitted by Jesse Arms 618-719-1154
on Behalf of www.MetroEastPride.com
Escapade, in downtown Belleville, on July 24. Among the achievements is the
formation of a Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
chapter, completion of a 3rd annual Pride Festival, and the establishment of a
monthly meeting for transgender people in the Metro East.
Over 50 people attended, including Rose Wilson from the Human Relations
Commission, Colby Kluthe, Executive Director of the Daniel Mcree Foundation, Dr.
Steve and Teresa Schmidt, founders of the Belleville chapter of PFLAG, and Mark
Harrell and David Pardue, owners of the ranch in Caseyville, the site of the
first gay rodeo in the Metro East.
Receiving a certificate of gratitude were Bill and Helen Whicher and Paul and
Sue Sutherland for their pioneering efforts on behalf of lesbians and gays in
the Metro East. Both couples are members of St. Paul United Church of Christ in
Belleville.
Submitted by Jesse Arms 618-719-1154
on Behalf of www.MetroEastPride.com
