'Everyone Should Be Accepted,' Plainfield's New Pride Group Says

PLAINFIELD, IL — Commemorating Pride Month this June, a new organization is kicking off in Plainfield to support the local LGBTQ community. Called Plainfield Pride, the group's goal is to create a safe space and support community members and local LGBTQ-owned businesses.

Earlier this week, Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis proclaimed June as Pride Month.

“We are one community,” Argoudelis said at Monday’s village board meeting. “We’re 45,000 people strong, approximately, and every person is important in this community, and every person will always be important in this community, and everyone will have an equal voice going forward.”

Jes McIlvain, executive director of Plainfield Pride, told Patch she’s thankful for the mayor’s support since it “lessens the struggle.”

"It made us feel like we matter, that we're visible and that they plan to continue to promote equity and visibility,” McIlvain said.

The village will work with Plainfield Pride, as well as the Will County Pride Coalition — a neighboring organization — to “meet and protect the needs of the community,” officials said.

Plainfield Pride currently falls under the umbrella of the Will County Pride Coalition, which McIlvain said will be a hub for pride groups in Will County. She also serves as chair of the organization.

Before Plainfield Pride was born, McIlvain said she was inspired by the Latinx Caucus in Will County and wanted to create something similar for the LBGTQ community of Plainfield. Plainfield didn’t have a formal organization, and she said it needed advocates.

“If people in the area need help, resources, educational materials, we're putting something together for the entire community,” she said.

Plainfield Pride will work together with businesses throughout the village to promote LGBTQ establishments and artists. McIlvain said they hope to foster relationships with schools in the community as well and eventually start a youth group.

One of the organization’s long-term plans includes a Pride fest, which McIlvain said would ideally take place next year for the first time.

Plainfield Pride is currently waiting to be approved as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Currently, main sources of funding come from community donations. Since they’re just getting started, McIlvain said Naper Pride, Naperville’s organization, "has been an awesome source of resources to help us get off the ground, and we're so grateful for them.”

McIlvain said a yard sign fundraiser is forthcoming to support LGBTQ artists — and the logo for the flag will be designed by a local LGBTQ artist. Businesses will also be able to put Plainfield Pride clings on their doorways to show their support, McIlvain said.

McIlvain estimates the organization’s kick-off event would be in late August or early September.

"There's a big focus on intersectionality,” McIlvain said. “Everyone should be accepted ... and raise the voices of our black and brown sisters and brothers and see what we can do to be a vehicle of equity for all of us."