Pastor Undra Finley, left, of City of Faith Christian Church and church liaison for Tennessee Valley Pride performs a commitment ceremony for Michael Conley, center, and Brian Rojahn during the 2012 Chattanooga PRIDE Festival in Miller Plaza.PLANNED EVENTS• Today: Interfaith Service, St. Elmo United Methodist Church, 7 p.m.• Friday: Citywide Pride Festival kickoff. Expect flags and donation opportunities at area businesses.• Saturday: Nooga Glo Run for Equality, Hunter Art Museum, dusk• Sunday: 2014 Pride Festival Celebration, Ross's Landing, noon to 7 p.m.
Today marks the beginning of a week of Tennessee Valley Pride events leading up to Sunday's Pride Festival Celebration.
The LGBTQ group's celebration will begin with an interfaith service at St. Elmo United Methodist Church today at 7 p.m. The event is put together by all local affirming churches in the area. The acronym refers to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning their sexuality.
On Friday, the City Wide Pride festival will begin in earnest. Local businesses are expected to display their pride flags as a show of support and celebration, and some will direct patrons toward ways to donate to Tennessee Valley Pride.
"This is a way our entire city can get involved and celebrate the diversity of our beautiful community in a positive and affirming way," Tennessee Valley Pride Vice President Kat Cooper said in a prepared statement.
Saturday's Nooga Glow Run for Equality will benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits such as Chattanooga's Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays chapter, Tennessee Valley Pride and the new Nooga Diversity Center. Runners will get a T-shirt, tokens to a "DJ Glo Party," various glowing items and tickets to the afterparty at the Big Chill on the North Shore.
The race will begin at the Hunter Art Museum at dusk.
Sunday will bring the week's main event, the Pride Festival Celebration, to Ross's Landing. The celebration is billed as an all-inclusive community event. It's free and will include food, entertainment, vendors and a kids zone.
"We are opening the door for everyone to join us and celebrate by showing support for the area's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community," President Marcus Ellsworth said in a prepared statement.
Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@times freepress.com or 423-757-6347.