The Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) is an umbrella association that promotes a sense of kinship within the organizations and individuals in central Illinois that provide services or actively support the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, their families and friends.

Created as a “grass-roots” organization in 2000, anyone who affirms their support of the GLBT community can join CORAL. CORAL has no membership dues and shows its support through planned events though-out the year. Its fund raising efforts go to sponsor events that foster GLBT community. Events include special interest programs, the annual Pride Picnic on the third Saturday in June, and the annual GLBT Thanksgiving, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

The Coalition of Rainbow Alliances has begun work on a series of events that will celebrate LGBT Pride in central Illinois from May, until August.

C.O.R.A.L. has joined with Springfield Pride Fest, and is making plans for a booth that will entertain and educate the community about the group’s activities. It will feature opportunities that are available to individuals through C.O.R.A.L .to celebrate LGBT Pride and educate the larger community about responsible LGBT participation. Volunteers at the booth will also sell Kettle Corn and Cotton Candy to raise funds for C.O.R.A.L.’s activity program. Volunteers are being solicited. Help!

About a month later, C.O.R.A.L. will host its twelfth annual Springfield LGBT Pride Picnic. This Picnic, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2012, will celebrate its 31 st birthday. Sponsored by various groups, over the years, this picnic has been held annually since 1981. Open to all, and free of charge, this year’s version will be held in Springfield’s Lincoln Park at the Nelson Recreation Pavilion, and will begin at 5:30 P.M. Volunteers are being recruited to help with setup and program. Help! Help!

Continuing another tradition, C.O.R.A.L. has begun early planning for the 8 th appearance of its award winning float and Rainbow Flag Corps in the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade. Stepping off at 6:00 P.M. on August 9, 2012, C.O.R.A.L.’s entry has brought the crowds to their feet since 2005.

While the Parade theme has not been released yet, preliminary work has started on budget, inventories, fund raising and of course, recruitment of volunteers. Help! Help! Help! Watch for more information here, and at these wonderful events. Come with us, and share the joy of your Pride with the community!

Sangamon-Menard Crimestoppers Board of Directors voted late last year to discontinue the groups participation in the Illinois State Fair, Twilight Parade Float Competition. A major competitor since the late 1980s, the group consistently took top prizes in the annual event.

“We lost many of our key people, and we have decided to call it quits,” said Valerie Bollinger, Board Member. Reviewing inventory lists, the Board of directors noted that a storage locker had been rented by the group to store the large collection of parade sundries, props, and building materials. “Considering the cost of a 10 yard dumpster, and looking over the stuff, it became apparent that most of the things were in good shape and could be used again, if the right benefactor could be found,” Bollinger continued.

“Having witnessed the community commitment that The Coalition of Rainbow Alliances has made to the Twilight Parade over the last several years, we hoped that C.O.R.A.L. might help us by recycling some of the things that we have created or acquired, over the years,” said Matt Goulet, Crimestopper Coordinator with the Springfield Police Department. “It seemed a shame to pay to send this remarkable junk to the landfill,” he laughed.

The first load of float decorating sundries was taken possession of back in January. Fringe, Garland, Petal paper, multi colored table covers, polka dots in rainbow colors and a giant wooden lock with 3 keys, over-filled the truck. “The big stuff will have to come later,” mused Arthur Clark, Construction Coordinator for C.O.R.A.L. “Why, there is a 10 foot hammer, a 5 foot pot of gold, an operating Ferris wheel and construction hardware and lumber.”

C.O.R.A.L. acknowledges this great gift, and says “Thank-You!” to Sangamon –Menard Crimestoppers for their support.

We’ve been joined by the Acorn Equality Fund with a grant for our float and flag corps. CORAL welcomes your help too. If you would like to donate contact us or use the donate button located on the lower right hand panel.

Rainbow Flag Corps