Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
PFLAG Introduces Straight for Equality Web Site
Our friends at PFLAG, who were a very welcome presence at our recent “Twelfth Night” Gala, have recently informed us of an initiative from PFLAG National. Straight for Equality is a national outreach and education project to empower allies in supporting and advocating for LGBT people in three primary arenas: our homes, our workplaces, and our communities. Straight for Equality reaches out to straight allies who may not realize how they can make a difference promoting equality for LGBT people. Straight for Equality is the next logical step for PFLAG as they expand their work for LGBT equality. As part of PFLAG’s mission of support, education, and advocacy, this project will embrace an increasing number of straight people who are ready to lend their invaluable voices and perspectives to bring the straight and LGBT communities together. For more information about this project, please visit the Straight for Equality Web site at http://www.straightforequality.com.
PFLAG Family Potluck
On Sunday, September 30, PFLAG will host its Fifth Sunday Family Potluck at First United Church, 848 Lake St., Oak Park, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited. Please bring a dish to share—your PFLAG hosts will provide soft drinks, plates, cutlery, and napkins. We hope to see you there!
OPALGA Sponsors Third Annual Wright Ride
OPALGA is again committed to be a sponsor of the Wright Ride being held in Oak Park and the near western suburbs on Sunday, August 19, 2007. This marks the third annual ride, and OPALGA has been a sponsor for all three rides. The start location for the ride is Oak Park and River Forest High School, and routes include 10, 25, 50, and 62-mile courses. The Wright Ride is the brainchild of the Oak Park Cycle Club and the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Enclosed with Empower is a brochure that gives all of the details and the required liability waiver. The cost for the ride is $20 per rider (children under 12 ride free but must be registered to participate and must be accompanied by an adult throughout the ride). There is also a Children’s Wonder Mile Ride, which costs $10 for children under 7. If you are a biking enthusiast, a weekend warrior, or just enjoy peddling, we encourage you to participate. It is a great event for the whole family.
Gay Day at the Farmers’ Market
Eat donuts and drink coffee on Saturday, June 9, at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market and support OPALGA! Our dedicated team of volunteers will be working diligently beginning at 3:30 a.m. to bring you the legendary Farmers’ Market donuts and raise money for OPALGA. We will be the community partner for the day, and half of all proceeds raised from the sale of donuts will come back to our organization. The Farmers’ Market is located in the parking lot of Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. The market opens at 7:00 a.m. and features local produce, plants, fresh cheese, herbs, flowers, and more. While you are enjoying your donuts, pull up a chair and listen to the live bluegrass performers. Don’t forget to buy a dozen donuts to take home…they freeze well.
We can still use volunteers for this event with shifts beginning at 5:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. If you are interested in hearing more about this volunteer opportunity, please call Susan at (708) 408-3463 or send e-mail to .
Gay Games Success Exceeds Expectations
These were just a few of the qualities exemplified not only by the athletes who participated but also by the volunteers who assisted with the massive undertaking of the Gay Games® VII in Chicago and the suburbs. Evidenced by rainbow flags flown by merchants in Oak Park, passionate words of welcome from Mayor Richard M. Daley, the anonymous delivery of water and snacks to hungry and hot athletes, people from surrounding communities helping lost visitors in their native languages—this historic event met its mission to provide participants a safe, accepting venue in which to compete with others of different abilities, ages, genders, nationalities, and sexual orientations and to strive for their personal best.
The energy in the stadiums for the opening and closing ceremonies cracked even the most jaded of heart with the strength of integrity and the visible assurance of a worldwide community. This was underscored with rainbow colors, music, dance, humor, dignitaries, and, of course, fireworks.
Between these ceremonies were the Games! Some of the Oak Park area’s own not only competed but also won medals. Jeff Weber took home a Silver medal in singles badminton. Donna Karpavicius, Laura Fisher, Ruth Williams, and Lynn Heald competed in team bowling, while Ruth and Lynn, pitted against each other in the individual competition, took home a Silver and Bronze medal, respectively. Brian Fischer, from Westchester, won a Gold medal for bowling in the mixed-team A Division, and Tyson Hurst, from Forest Park, bowling with the High Rollers, received a Silver medal in the mixed-team B Division. Locals Julie Justicz, Bonnie Keyes, and Jennifer Schlife competed in the Olympic-length triathlon, with Schlife taking the Gold medal. Finally, Ellen Somberg won a Gold medal in women’s doubles racquetball and a Silver medal in the singles competition.
Oak Park’s “West Village” was commended for being the most organized and certainly welcoming of the Games’ participating villages by its organizers. It takes a village to accommodate 12,000 athletes for a week of competitive sport. OPALGA, along with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, was joined by the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park and River Forest High School, the Oak Park Park District, and a host of participating merchants and countless individuals who officially or unofficially offered donations of time, money, water, food, and gifts to make the athletes’ stay in our village memorable. For one glorious week, we were all Gay in Our Village.
Note: If we overlooked your accomplishment(s), let us know by calling The OPALGA Center at (708) 848-0273. We will then recognize you in the September issue of Empower.
