CHICAGO (WLS) — Coco & Blu Café, nestled in the northern suburbs of Arlington Heights, has launched its June special, promising a delightful treat for its patrons.
This month, the café is offering a unique fruit loop matcha latte, with a heartfelt twist—$1 from each purchase will be donated to Glen’s Friends.
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The organization was founded by Janet McCarthy in memory of her brother, Glen, during a time when Arlington Heights contemplated raising a Pride flag for Pride Month.
Although the village has yet to approve the display of a Pride flag, McCarthy initiated the Heights Pride campaign, encouraging both businesses and residents to show their support with lawn signs.
“We believe everyone should embrace who they are and feel unconditionally loved and supported,” expressed Michael Brown of Coco & Blu Café.
Reflecting on her brother’s experience, McCarthy shared, “His life could have been so different if there had been such inclusion and support in his school and community.”
Paul Dombrowski with the Northwest Suburban Pride and Action Network is distributing the Heights Pride signs in Palatine.
“The reason I put up a Pride flag at my house is for the grandma across the street who has a gay grandchild or the person who is afraid to come out for fear of bullying and harassment,” Dombrowski said.
Dombrowski has urged the Village of Palatine to raise a Pride flag, but as this point, no councilperson has introduced a change to the current Code of Ordinances.
The Palatine code authorizes the flags of the United States, the State of Illinois, the Village of Palatine, and POW/MIA at village buildings.
Dombrowski and McCarthy plan to be at Monday night’s Palatine Village Council meeting.
While the Pride flag issue is not on Monday night’s agenda, public comment on the issue is expected.
“If it helps one teenager or one person from harming themselves or giving up, that’s what we need to do,” Dombrowski said.
“Our dream was that we’d been able to go up and down the northwest highway corridor from town to town and share the love,” McCarthy said.
The mayor of Palatine declined an interview on Monday the village did post a proclamation from the mayor for June as LGBTQ Pride Month.
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