• Educate and inform our community
about topics related to the rights of all genders of people. ·
• Ensure we use our voices to name and eradicate sex and
gender-based discrimination, harassment, and exploitation
in our community and where applicable, on a larger scale. ·
• Communicate policies, incentives and programs that may
have applications to support gender justice in ParkRidge. ·
• Collaborate with others to ensure a standing voice on
gender rights with Park Ridge elected officials,staff and
commission
Letter dated August 2025
Park Ridge City Council and Mayor Maloney,
We are members of a subgroup of Action Ridge, which, as
you likely are aware, is a progressive and non-partisan organization in Park Ridge
whose mission is centered around inclusion, respect, equity, and the health of our
planet. As a subcommittee of Action Ridge focused upon Gender Justice, we wanted
to follow up with you relative to the recent Pride inPark Ridge celebration in June,
the second annual such celebration.
First, it was our view that the event was outstanding, positive, well-received, and should
be continued and expanded. While we are not aware of the specifics of the support the
Council provided in terms of permits, security, etc, we want to acknowledge that these
important aspects necessary to make this a great event. Second, the proclamation issued
by the Council prior to the event was robust and lent itself to the tone of welcoming,
non-discrimination and respect that Park Ridge must continue to embrace. Several of us
were present when the document was read into the record at the City Council meeting that
preceded the event, and affirm that it was an important way of again emphasizing the critical
reasons that support and welcoming in our community matters. The decision to have it read,
as well, prior to the start of the Pride event itself, also was a terrific one, and put the rationale for
our community's support for such events front and center, for all to hear.
We recognize that other feedback has been shared with the Council that presents a different
point of view, and seems to reflect a point of view very different from what we perceived the
event to have been. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Council to continue
the conversation about further broadening support for the LGBTQIA+ community beyond the
Pride event, year-round.
Sincerely,
Kathryn M. Statz, Sharon Peterson, Karen Mears, Feleceia WynnIan Kahrilas, Susan Kosinski, Nan Parson, Valerie Halston
