by Rick Flynn

Dayton--The Dayton Pride Partnership, a coalition of businesses, non-profits, and organizations in the Miami Valley that represent LGBT people and many allies of sexual minorities, announced the 2008 Pride events for June.

The annual outdoor Pride Fest Parade and Rally is set for June 7, beginning at 12:15 at Cooper Park between Third and Second Streets on St. Clair.

Registration and lineup begins at 11 a.m. with step-off at 12:15. The parade will proceed to Court House Square at Third and Main Street for the Pride Fest which continues until 6:30 p.m.

The 22nd annual Pride Dinner is at the Ponitz Center on June 21.

�Celebrate 2008--It�s About Freedom� is the slogan for Pride 2008. Both major events, the Pride Fest on June 7 and the Pride Dinner on June 21, will have special features based on this theme.

The Dayton Pride Partnership is sponsoring its second annual same-gender commitment ceremony at the Pride Fest. It will begin shortly after noon on the stage at Courthouse Square. A group of local clergy will perform the ceremony led by the pastor of Eternal Joy MCC, Rev. Mark Pridmore.

�This symbolic wedding ceremony is one of the ways we hope to stand up and really show our community that �Celebrate 2008, It�s About Freedom� � Pridmore said.

The Pride Fest will be a whole day of fun, food, friends enjoying regional and local entertainment to follow the wedding ceremony. Several local performers will perform throughout day. Go to www.daytonlgbtcenter.com to find out how to participate and download forms to sign up for a booth or marching group.

�Celebrate 2008--It�s About Freedom� will continue at a gala Pride Dinner on the evening of June 21 at the Ponitz Center, 444 West Third Street on the campus of Sinclair Community College. The Pride Partnership will present a fabulous night of gambling Monte Carlo-style, singing, dancing and community awards this year.

The evening will open with a business exposition and a Las Vegas-style wedding chapel. All exhibitors are encouraged to decorate in a Vegas style. Attendees are also encouraged to wear clothing or costumes to reflect a Casa Las Vegas theme. The exposition will feature cocktails, appetizers and a live Monte Carlo casino. To win prizes at the Monte Carlo, gamblers will turn in their chips for raffle tickets and some great prizes will be given away. There will also be raffle tickets for sale for those who want to dance instead of gamble after dinner. All proceeds benefit Pride activities and activities at the new LGBT Center opening this year.

The expo will be followed by dinner, awards and entertainment including performances by the Rubi Girls and the Human Race Theater Company.

After the performances and awards, there will be dancing to the live sounds of the Kenny and Connie Quartet, a popular local band featuring vocalist Connie Lawson. DJ Venus from Club Masque will also provide entertainment as he spins the latest sounds. The Monte Carlo will resume after dinner and midway through the night.

For more information or forms, go to www.daytonlgbtcenter.com.

Rick Flynn is the secretary of the Dayton LGBT Center�s board of directors.