LEADING THE MARCH — Chuck Schorr, at left, and Jack Carbasho carry the rainbow banner to lead the pride march at the Ohio Valley Pride Festival in Wheeling on Saturday. The event also was held Sunday at Heritage Port. - Heather Ziegler

WHEELING — For members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the Ohio Valley, it was fitting the rain stopped and rainbows appeared over Heritage Port in downtown Wheeling on Saturday.

The rainbows — found in posters, clothing and even hair color — are symbols for the inaugural Ohio Valley Pride Festival held at the port on Saturday and Sunday.

Several hundred festival goers enjoyed food, entertainment, assorted vendors and fellowship in a welcoming atmosphere many said was made possible by Wheeling City Council.

Chuck Schorr, operator of Hot Rod Tattooing in Martins Ferry, served as master of ceremonies on Saturday, welcoming the crowd to the waterfront.

He explained that in his business, he literally helps people “wear their hearts on their sleeves.” He said many of his customers related their stories of meeting and falling in love with their partners, and the heartache they have suffered at large because of their sexual preferences in life.

That is what prompted Schorr, who is not gay, to become an advocate for those in the LGBT community.

He said when Wheeling City Council adopted a measure that protects the LGBT community from housing and employment discrimination, it lived up to the city’s “Friendly City” reputation.

“I applaud and thank the city of Wheeling for its inclusive politics of housing and employment,” he said.

“We are all part of the universal community. The rainbow flag always made sense. It is an obvious metaphor for community. Today we are survivors of some of our darkest days,” Schorr said.

Schorr and Jack Carbasho, who spearheaded the festival with others, led a “pride march” along Water Street around the exterior of WesBanco Arena.

Participants carried signs and wore rainbow apparel as they took part.

Local resident Andrea Potter and her daughter, Katrina Kilgore, are former residents of Kentucky. Both are gay and said they were excited to have a festival that embraces their choice of lifestyle.

They were joined by Kate and Jacky Horne from Washington, Pa. who were married in Pennsylvania.

Potter said in Kentucky, her daughter would have been “tormented,” but sees the welcoming crowd in Wheeling as a positive for living in the Ohio Valley.