CHESTERLAND, Ohio — For the first time in Geauga County, the Community Church of Chesterland will host a Pride Month celebration. 

The celebration is June 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Chardon Square and is not the first time the church has shown support for the LGTBQ+ community. 

“We started to hang a pride flag for Pride Month back in 2016,” said Megan Carver, co-chair of the church’s social justice committee.

The pride flag, which hangs on the corner of Wilson Mills and Caves roads, is a sign that everyone is welcome at the church, no matter their sexual orientation.

However, the flag was stolen from the church multiple times. 

“[The pride flag has] actually been stolen more than 50 times,” Carver said. “We’d put it up and then within 12 hours, someone would take it.”

The church tried to install security cameras to stop the thieves, but ran into technical issues. Instead, the church has hung three rainbow flags in trees on the property to discourage them from being taken. 

Carver said there was an outpouring of support last year as community members heard about the thefts. She said residents donated new flags to the church and people across the nation reached out to offer support. 

“The community was amazing,” Carver said. 

The church decided it wanted to give back to the community this year by organizing a Pride event. 

“It’s almost like Geauga County’s coming-out party,” said Carver.

Mary Briggs, an area resident, is also helping organize the event and said the celebration is long overdue. 

“It’s important for me to identify the diversity of my county,” Briggs said.

For more information on the Pride event in Geauga County or to get involved, click here.