CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A new group of local citizens have formed Equality Clarksville, with plans to hold a LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex) pride parade later this year as their first major event. Final dates are still to be determined.

The organization currently consists of members of the LGBTI community along with heterosexual allies from the community.

Susan Elizabeth Larson was elected chair, with JoyDianne Damiani-Moore serving as co-chair. Other officers include Mary Hutto and Michael Covington-Johnson.

“Equality Clarksville’s mission is to lead the way to a more just and equitable future for all Clarksville residents,” Larson said. “Because when civil rights and protections are denied to one of us, it is our community that suffers.”

As a nonprofit organization, the overall goals will be to work to educate the community on issues related to the LGBTI communities and to provide a positive resource for those in need of support.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead this effort to promote a more just and equitable future for our city and state,” Larson said.

The group will also hold various fundraisers and directly recognize political, civic, and business leaders, who show their support for the LGBTI community overall. Equality Clarksville will also work with members of a new PFLAG (Parents, friends and families of lesbians and gays) chapter, and other allied groups in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area.

This is not the first time a pride event has been held in Clarksville. In 2005 and 2006, a pride festival was held in the former Wilma Rudolph pavilion, and each event attracted hundreds of local families that celebrated the diversity of the community. Activist and business owner David Shelton was the chair of that group at the time.

“I’m so excited to see new blood take on this challenge for our community,” Shelton said. “Susan’s leadership has energized this project, and I can’t wait to see what comes out of it.”

The new organization has no affiliation with the original pride organization.

For more information, visit Equality Clarksville on Facebook or contact Larson at susan@susans.org