When Kairo Evans created the Facebook event for the LGBT/Non-Binary Pride Celebration, she only anticipated inviting a few friends. But the 21-year-old artist, model and YouTuber has seen the event expand to more than 140 confirmed and at least 1,000 who are “interested.”
“It feels kind of magical,” Evans said.
She organized the Jan. 13 event in Washington Square Park to support her friends in the LGBT community after they expressed fears regarding Donald Trump’s presidential election.
“[They felt] like they should close themselves off to who they really are and not show it as much,” Evans said. “And I kept telling them that there’s nothing to be ashamed of with being who you are. In fact, it’s something to be proud of. It’s something to look at yourself and say, ‘This is part of who I am and I want to be proud of it.’”
Evans said this is not an official event affiliated with an organization but rather an occasion where “people can meet each other and be themselves with each other.” She said she does not anticipate issues with law enforcement but she has other locations in mind for smaller gatherings if any issues arise.
Evans noted that the event is not a protest.
“I don’t want it to seem like we’re fighting for who we are. I want it to seem like we are just celebrating who we are. Gay marriage is legal. You can change your gender on your birth certificate now. You can do all of that and it’s not perfect but we have a lot to celebrate about ourselves. It shouldn’t be us being angry about something we don’t agree with. It should be us being happy about what we already have.”
Evans said there will not be alcohol at the event itself because she wants everyone to be safe in a public setting. However, she chose Washington Square Park due to its large size and close proximity to shops, restaurants and bars so attendees can take advantage of them after the event if they choose. Otherwise, Evans said, the only expectation is for people to “dance, share joy, make jokes and generally be happy.”
She said when people think of LGBT individuals, they sometimes “only think of sexual orientation and not necessarily gender orientation.” She wanted to ensure non-binary individuals were accepted at this event.
Additionally, Evans said this event is different from other Pride celebrations.
“A lot of the time, those celebrations are to make a point to other people. But this is more about making a statement to each other [and] making a statement to ourselves to say that we are proud of who we are and we want to celebrate it. It’s more about making friends and meeting like-minded people.”
Evans said she is eager to connect with those who have showed interest in the event’s mission.
“I’m most excited to meet all of these people,” Evans said. “They just seem amazing.”
The LGBT/Non-Binary Pride Celebration will be held 1-4 p.m. Jan. 13 at Washington Square, 210 W. Washington Square. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1695280000800198/.