Diversity celebrated at Kalamazoo Pride

KALAMAZOO--Live music, food and activities celebrating diversity are highlights of Kalamazoo Pride 2012 from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Arcadia Creek Festival Place downtown. Admission is $5 at the door.

The event celebrates all forms of diversity in Kalamazoo, but focuses on sexual orientations and gender identities. Similar events are taking place across the country and in the nation's capital on Saturday.

Live entertainment begins at 2 p.m. Performances include rhythm and blues band Funktion; acoustic band Neo Tetras; drag queen Pandora Boxx, a former contestant on the second season of Drag Race; and the Kimi Hayes Band.

Local nonprofit organizations and businesses will have information booths set out.

Food vendors include FUEL, Hickory Pit, Taco Bob's, Gorilla Gourmet, TGI Fridays and Cupcake Zoo.

Kalamazoo Pride is sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and Western Michigan University Office of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services, among others. All proceeds benefit the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, which organizes the annual event.

With the funds we raised at Kalamazoo Pride 2011, the organization was able to establish an equality-friendly business directory, expand youth programming and continue other projects to focus on inclusiveness.

Visit kglrc.org/pride for more information.