This Pride month, we had the chance to chat with our LGBTQ+ community members.
August N. Forman
Ensemble Member
Oak Park Festival Theatre

What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month is a celebration and a reminder of our existence. We are here, we have always been here, and we will always be here. You can’t erase us. Despite the continued attacks on our community, we continue to celebrate our existence.

 

Why is it important for us to come together as a community and celebrate Pride Month?
There has always been such a strong sense of community in Oak Park, and LGBTQ+ folks have always been a part of this beautiful community. It’s one thing to have the support of other LGBTQ+ folks, but to know your neighbors have your back? Nothing beats that. Nothing makes you feel safer or stronger than having the support of your full community. Knowing they will show up for you and fight for your right to exist? There’s nothing like it.

 

Tell us about the 50th Season!
We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary with a fan favorite. Twelfth Night will be in Austin Gardens from July 1st to August 16th. We’ll have shows Thursdays through Sundays, with a performance every other Wednesday. Wednesdays and Thursdays are pay-what-you-can, and kids 12 and under are only $5. Bring a picnic, bring some wine, bring the family, and enjoy some incredible theatre under the stars.

 

Tickets for Twelfth Night are on sale now. Click here

Katie Cummings
President
JAYNE Boutique

Watch our interview here, as we talked about summer trends, business advice, and why it’s important to come together as a community to celebrate Pride Month.

 

JAYNE’s summer styles & new arrivals are ready. Click here to shop.

Darien Marion-Burton
Executive Director
Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce

We had the chance to talk to Darien about why the Chamber opened their new office in DTOP, what it means to him to celebrate Pride month, and all the exciting events the Chamber is hosting this summer, like First Fridays, a monthly street festival in Oak Park.

 

The Chamber is outside this summer, hosting events! Click here for their 2025 summer event calendar.