By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Though several years have passed since she was a student at BGSU, Liza Swartz has vivid memories of walking down the street with her partner, hoping one day they would be accepted in the community.
On Saturday, Swartz and countless others felt that sense of belonging in Bowling Green at the Rainbow Rally held by BGO Pride in the Wooster Green.
“Here I am at a Pride event in our town,” Swartz said as she welcomed people to her Zen Lotus tent, where she was selling crystals. “Isn’t this cool.”
“We’re lucky to have this in our community. It makes me proud to live here,” said Swartz, whose weekday job is with Wood County Children’s Services.
After the rain cleared off Saturday afternoon, more than 750 people came to the third annual Rainbow Rally in Bowling Green. There was music, food, business vendors, social service agencies, voting registration, HIV testing, plenty of tie-dye clothing, and endless rainbows embracing the LGBTQIA community.
“It’s a marginalized community that isn’t a marginalized community anymore,” Swartz said.
But there are still those unwilling to welcome those who are different, she added, telling of the 13-year-old girl who came to her tent in tears after three men standing on the edge of Wooster Green told her she was destined to go to hell if she was homosexual.
“I gave her a big hug,” and told her that wasn’t true, Swartz said.
Aside from the men preaching their form of religion on the fringe of the rally, the Wooster Green area swelled with pride.
“It’s great seeing everyone in our community at a place where we can be ourselves. People fighting for the causes they believe in,” James Wang, of Bowling Green, said. “It’s the coolest thing.”
As Jordan Musgrave, president of BGO Pride, looked over the rally space, he voiced relief that people came out despite the earlier rain.
“It’s pretty poppin,” he said. “It’s great to see people coming out in droves.”
Musgrave had high hopes for the day for the LGBTQIA community.
“I hope they get a real sense of community – something I didn’t have 15 years ago,” he said. “I’ve always wanted that.”
“I hope they come and see that it’s OK to be yourself – your true authentic self,” Musgrave said.
For allies and others attending the Rainbow Rally, Musgrave hoped for greater understanding and acceptance.
“A lot of people in the area are not acquainted with people who are different,” he said.
As a sign of support from Bowling Green city government, a proclamation from Mayor Mike Aspacher was read at the rally by Damon Sherry, the first openly queer, non-binary member of City Council.
The proclamation encouraged all city residents to promote allyship with, and advocacy for LGBTQIA neighbors, celebrate diversity and welcome all.
“It’s nice to see how open Bowling Green is,” Sherry said.
People traveling to BG for the rally shared the same feeling. Eric and Eva Crimmins, from Woodville, said their small town does not have Pride Month events.
“Unfortunately no. So we have to go other places,” Eric Crimmins said.
Cousins Cat Coolidge and Bee Coolidge, both from Columbus, have attended multiple Pride Month events across Ohio during June.
“It’s nice to see a pride group in a small town,” Cat Coolidge said.
“It’s been amazing,” Bee Coolidge said of Saturday’s event in Bowling Green. “You feel like you’re in a safe area.”
Though most at the rally ignored the men preaching hatred of the LGBTQIA community, Toby Walker challenged them. Originally from New York City and now a student at BGSU, Walker told the men that she grew up in a church, with her mom as the pastor.
“Jesus is about love – not preaching you’re going to hell,” she said.
The men, who would not give their names, called women “Jezebel” and told children they were headed to hell if they attended the rally. That was more than Walker could tolerate.
“You’re not going to yell insults at kids and tell them God hates them,” Walker said.
“This is my town now. I’m going to be part of the community,” she added.
Musgrave took a peaceful stance.
“My God’s not yours. Your God’s not mine. And that’s OK,” he said.
BGO Pride leaders tried to look at the handful of protesters as a positive sign that the annual rally is having an impact.
“That’s how you know we’ve made it,” Kenny Sheets said.
Sheets will be helping to lead an LGBTQIA adult support group, starting in July on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m., at the Connections Center, 309 S. Main St., Bowling Green. The discussion group is for people (out or not) to gather and guide each other through shared experiences, social support, and resource building.
The discussion group is supported by Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, and by Harbor.
