Kent’s Rainbow Weekend returns Oct. 11 and 12 to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with a colorful lineup of events.

Rainbow Weekend, first celebrated in 2020, intends to uplift the queer community and its allies through a variety of activities including the Drag Race 5K, Safe Space Training and more. Main Street Kent planned the weekend in collaboration with Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center and many local businesses.

“It’s important that we really show that Kent values all folks, including LGBTQ+ individuals,” Ken Ditlevson, the LGBTQ+ Center director, said. “[Rainbow Weekend] shows our students in the community that they’re not alone and that there is a place here for all students.” 

While the center hosted a Rainbow Run 5K in previous years, they were unable to do so this year. However, Main Street Kent has introduced a similar event, the Drag Race 5K, which will occur at 6 p.m. Oct. 11. Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the university’s LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, which provides essential support to queer students “in need of additional funding for books, academic supplies, household items, housing or food.”

“We’re so appreciative to Main Street Kent for picking up this event because we knew a lot of students really enjoyed the Rainbow Run,” Ditlevson said. “The Drag Race is going to be equally as fun.”

In addition to the Drag Race 5K, members of the Kent community can purchase a ticket to join the Rainbow Walk, a tour of downtown where participants can collect rainbow-themed items from local businesses. Attendees will receive a reusable rainbow tote bag to fill with free LGBTQ+ pride-related merchandise from participating stores and businesses.

The sense of connection fostered by these events highlights the impacts of community support.

“Personally speaking, I feel much more comfortable and confident in who I am because I can see other people being confident in themselves,” Vanessa Mackey, a sophomore fashion design major, said.

To further support the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, Ditlevson will conduct a Safe Space Training on Saturday morning.

“We want to have that celebration piece, but we also want that opportunity for folks to learn and to grow,” Ditlevson said. “We start the process of unpacking that implicit bias or unconscious bias that we all have.”

Beyond Rainbow Weekend, the LGBTQ+ Center hosts additional Safe Space Trainings throughout the academic year.

Mackey emphasized the importance of events like Rainbow Weekend, and she said they’re a way to bring people of all identities closer together. 

“The main thing is the sense of community,” she said. “When you see a large group of people celebrating and understanding, you can feel safe and comfortable being yourself.” 

To learn more about Rainbow Weekend and its list of activities, visit Main Street Kent’s website.

Grace Claxon is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].

Jillian Flack is a KSTV reporter. Contact her at [email protected].