Eug Pride 2016

Parasol Queens staying cool on a sunny day, (from left) Mardee Hansen, Julie Weismann and Victoria Smithweiland.

On a perfect Oregon summer day, people dressed for comfort, for fun, to make a statement, or all of the above!

Artist Callie McGhee made face paintings for kids of all ages, including this rainbow masque for Kristina Wessel.

Rainbow flags and mixed-gender capes were fashionable fun at this year’s Pride Festival.

The Emcees for the main stage were from the Imperial Court and Friends.

Who has more fun than a Rainbow Girl and a Panda? Clover and Taylor say, “No one.”

Sally Sheklow and Enid Lefton pitched their tent and kicked back for the MainStage entertainment. Together since 1987, they were the first same gender couple married at “a Big Fat Jewish Wedding” at Temple Beth Israel in 1998. Both attended Pride celebrations in major cities and love Eugene/Springfield’s event best because it’s a big “family picnic”.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!