ANDERSONVILLE — Andersonville will rally in solidarity with the Equality March For Unity and Pride during this weekend's Midsommarfest.
Beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, Andersonville businesses will host the Chicago Equality Rally, where speakers will promote visibility, unity and pride. Performers include Jess Goodwin, Darrian Ford and Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble, according to a press release for the event.
“Given the current political climate, it's essential we continue to come together across our intersectional identities and celebrate equality for all people,” said actor, writer and producer Fawzia Mirza, who will emcee the event.
Mirza co-wrote and co-produced the web series "Kam Kardashian" and "Brown Girl Problems." The West Loop comedian has also played an extra on "Chicago Fire," created and starred in the mockumentary "The Muslim Trump." Read more about Mirza here.
The rally will be held at the Pride Stage at Clark Street and Balmoral Avenue, where attendees last year gathered after the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, which occurred on the third day of the festival in 2016. The stage is anchored by local gay-owned businesses, according to the release.
Speakers include:
• Kim Fountain of the Center on Halsted
• Brian C. Johnson of Equality Illinois
• Michael C. Oboza of Bisexual Queer Alliance of Chicago
• Ava Santos-Volpe of Ava's Change4Youth
• Kim Hunt, of Pride Action Tank
The Equality March for Unity and Pride, which will be held in Washington D.C. "is a grassroots movement mobilizing diverse LGBTQ+ communities to peacefully and clearly address concerns about the current political landscapes and how it is contributing to the persecution and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals," according to its website.
Midsommarfest, the annual festival celebrating the neighborhood's Swedish heritage, returns for the 52nd year this weekend with free yoga, pet costume contests, ice cream-eating contests and a performance from Uptown's Lynne Jordan and the Shivers.