Rally for LGBTQ Youth set for Saturday
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 11 months AGO
Demonstrators hold signs outside of the Coeur d'Alene School District office Monday during the "Stop the Child Abuse" rally. The "Rally for LGBTQ Youth" will be held in Coeur d'Alene City Park on Saturday.
Photo by DUANE RASMUSSEN
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | January 15, 2021 1:00 AM
The "Rally for LGBTQ Youth" has been set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rotary Lakeside Bandshell in Coeur d'Alene City Park.
It's being organized by Post Falls 18-year-old Erin Olson in response to the "Stop the Child Abuse" rally held Monday.
"I have grown up in North Idaho, and growing up here as a lesbian, it definitely gave me a strong passion to make this community more welcoming to LGBTQ youth, especially within an educational setting," Olson said Tuesday.
Olson, a Lake City High School graduate, is in college studying educational policy.
"Being able to create a school environment where students feel safe and welcome is so important," she said, adding that the rally "would be a really good opportunity to show LGBTQ youth in the community they are safe, loved and welcome to be themselves."
Attendees are encouraged to bring signs and dress warm. Social distancing and face masks to protect against COVID-19 will be enforced.
"This is a time of high political tension," Olson said. "I'm hoping that the event can be seen as a peaceful opportunity to express support for the LGBTQ community."
North Idaho Pride Alliance has expressed that it is "in full support of citizens taking action and wanting to organize within their own community," said outreach coordinator Jessica Mahuron.
"We're happy to support Erin's effort in organizing this rally, and thank her in providing this opportunity for many to demonstrate their support for LGBTQ youth, families and our schools," Mahuron said.
ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS
Youths participate in first winter kids' camp at Lake City Playhouse
Youths participate in first winter kids' camp at Lake City Playhouse
It has been said that first impressions can only be made once. That rule was turned on its head Monday at Lake City Playhouse as winter kids' camp participants dreamed up new personalities and showcased an impressive array of quirks and characteristics while introducing their new selves to each other several times. Maddox Long, 9, of Coeur d'Alene, flopped his long shirt sleeves over his hands and did a silly walk. “He is definitely a comedian,” said his mom, Jolena Long, who serves on Lake City Playhouse's board of directors and helped coordinate the three-day winter break camp.
DAR honors Newby-ginnings founder
An unwavering dedication to the military community and the strength to turn personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for thousands has earned Theresa Hart the respect of countless individuals and organizations near and far. The ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution Lt. George Farragut Chapter honored Hart for that dedication during a presentation Friday morning at the Hayden Lake Eagles.
Handsome humanitarians to take stage to support local charities
Handsome humanitarians to take stage to support local charities
A new event will give local gentlemen an evening of celebrity status while shining the spotlight on several area nonprofits. Introducing: Mr. North Idaho. "For most of us, this is not our natural element, but we are folks that are going to give our best effort," Mr. North Idaho contestant Brad Leggat said Friday. "We are going to make it a very entertaining evening."