Gay Pride Festival Set For Richmond Believed To Be Its 1st

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) — A gay pride festival set for this weekend in Richmond will become what's believed to be the first such event in the eastern Indiana city.

Rainbow Richmond is organizing Saturday's pride festival, which will feature live music, speakers from the community and a family-friendly drag show.

The Palladium-Item reports that no entry fee will be charged for the festival, which will be held at Jack Elstro Plaza in the city's downtown area.

But Rainbow Richmond is seeking donations to help with its efforts to revive the local group, which focuses on LGBT issues.

Festival organizer Benjamin Guard says the event will offer "a safe space to everyone to be able to be themselves" in the city that's about 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of Indianapolis near the Indiana-Ohio state line.