Emporia PRIDE Merchandise to Support Community Events and Promote Inclusion
by Jessica Buchholz, Events Coordinator | April 20, 2022
Emporia, KS – Emporia, KS – Emporia Main Street has teamed up with the Emporia High School Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club (EHS GSA) to create a community shirt that gives back.
This year, local PRIDE organizers hope to create a festival feel with events ranging from a parade to a Drag Show, to a night of LIVE music. Community members are encouraged to attend these local activities and they can purchase a shirt to show their support and assist initiatives in the community.
From now until May 16th supporters can preorder their Emporia PRIDE Fest shirts By Clicking Here. Shirts are $20 and range in size from Extra Small – 3XL. All shirts that are preordered will be available for pick up at Emporia Main Street the week of May 23rd. There will be a limited number of shirts for sale at Emporia Main Street, but supporters are encouraged to place an online preorder to guarantee a shirt.
The mission of the EHS GSA club focuses on promoting acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community at Emporia High School, the Emporia community, and beyond.
“Emporia High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance is grateful to have Emporia Main Street’s collaboration in brining acceptance and awareness to the Emporia community,” explained Sarah Bays, EHS GSA advisor. “It’s been our goal for the last few years to establish community connections and this project is helping our club realize our goal.”
Proceeds from the sale of Emporia PRIDE Fest shirts will go to benefit community projects through Emporia Main Street and Bloom House, a local nonprofit that serves at risk and homeless youth in the state of Kansas.
“Emporia Main Street is honored to partner with members of EHS GSA on this project,” said Jessica Buchholz, Community Development Coordinator for Emporia Main Street. “Our philosophy is that the community belongs to everyone, and we are happy to support and celebrate iniativies that focus on inclusion.”
PRIDE Month is celebrated each June to recognize the impact of that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on our society locally, nationally, and throughout the world. PRIDE month was initially inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that took place in Manhattan, NY to achieve equal rights and opportunities for LGBTQ+ Americans.
For more information on purchasing Emporia PRIDE Fest shirts please contact Emporia Main Street at 620-340-6430. For more information on PRIDE month activities or EHS GSA Club follow them on Facebook at @ehsgsa1.