photo credit // michael oboza
OAK PARK, ILL. -
By Michael Oboza, Special to GoPride.com
Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance, in partnership with the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Oak Park, and Community Officer, recently hosted the fourth annual Pride Night. The event featured entertainment by West End 40, who performed a mix of R&B, soul, top 40, and dance music, alongside performances by local drag queens.
Local sponsors included Byline Bank and RUSH Hospital, with participation from the Downtown Oak Park Thursday Night Out series and businesses such as Alice & Friends, Habibi's Chicken and Falafel, Gyumon Japanese BBQ, Lucky Duck Claw House, and FARE.
Since its founding in 1973, PFLAG, an organization of parents, families, and allies, has worked to ensure the LGBTQ community is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Marking 21 years of the local chapter, PFLAG Oak Park Area President Sarah Corbin shared the organization's core mission.
"PFLAG is here to support, educate and advocate for our LGBTQ community," Corbin said.
When asked what the season means to her personally, Corbin added that her commitment extends far beyond a single month.
"I live Pride all year long," Corbin said. "The month of June is a month to show more love and support for our LGBTQ community."
Nina Orlowski, the program specialist for Thrive with Pride, also shared her perspective. The inclusive program, run by AgeOptions, is dedicated to older LGBTQ adults and their caregivers.
"Pride is to be your authentic self and celebrated for it," Orlowski said.
The local movement has a deep history in the area. Originally founded in 1989 as the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association, the group expanded its inclusivity by transitioning into a new organization, Out with Purpose, in 2025. The group continues its original mission to build connection and community among LGBTQ people and allies.
Among those celebrating the community's journey are Alan Hommerdimg and Bob Personett, who are marking 29 years together. Their journey began when they met through a Chicago Reader advertisement in 1997. Over nearly three decades, the couple hit several major milestones together, first sharing a mortgage, then getting matching tattoos, registering as domestic partners, entering a civil union, and ultimately marrying.
For Hommerdimg and Personett, the annual celebration is about equal recognition.
"Pride means presence and belonging," they shared. "The same options that are open to everyone else are also open to us."
Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance, in partnership with the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Oak Park, and Community Officer, recently hosted the fourth annual Pride Night. The event featured entertainment by West End 40, who performed a mix of R&B, soul, top 40, and dance music, alongside performances by local drag queens.
Local sponsors included Byline Bank and RUSH Hospital, with participation from the Downtown Oak Park Thursday Night Out series and businesses such as Alice & Friends, Habibi's Chicken and Falafel, Gyumon Japanese BBQ, Lucky Duck Claw House, and FARE.
Since its founding in 1973, PFLAG, an organization of parents, families, and allies, has worked to ensure the LGBTQ community is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Marking 21 years of the local chapter, PFLAG Oak Park Area President Sarah Corbin shared the organization's core mission.
"PFLAG is here to support, educate and advocate for our LGBTQ community," Corbin said.
When asked what the season means to her personally, Corbin added that her commitment extends far beyond a single month.
"I live Pride all year long," Corbin said. "The month of June is a month to show more love and support for our LGBTQ community."
Nina Orlowski, the program specialist for Thrive with Pride, also shared her perspective. The inclusive program, run by AgeOptions, is dedicated to older LGBTQ adults and their caregivers.
"Pride is to be your authentic self and celebrated for it," Orlowski said.
The local movement has a deep history in the area. Originally founded in 1989 as the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association, the group expanded its inclusivity by transitioning into a new organization, Out with Purpose, in 2025. The group continues its original mission to build connection and community among LGBTQ people and allies.
Among those celebrating the community's journey are Alan Hommerdimg and Bob Personett, who are marking 29 years together. Their journey began when they met through a Chicago Reader advertisement in 1997. Over nearly three decades, the couple hit several major milestones together, first sharing a mortgage, then getting matching tattoos, registering as domestic partners, entering a civil union, and ultimately marrying.
For Hommerdimg and Personett, the annual celebration is about equal recognition.
"Pride means presence and belonging," they shared. "The same options that are open to everyone else are also open to us."
