In 1980, St. Louis hosted its first annual Pride celebration, which continues to grow every year.
Let’s Celebrate!
St. Louis has made huge progress, along with the rest of the country. In an article originally published in the newspaper “No Bad News”, writer Jim Andris described his experience at St.Louis’s first annual Pride parade. “As we bend around the corner of Euclid and Lindell, I get a sense of how many of us there are. I wonder if there are 500. It certainly looks impressive. We are passed by an olive-drab truck of fatigued national guardsmen. One motions with a thumbs down. Several others snicker and grin. We wave back.”
Many people ridiculed the first parade in 1980, and every person who attended was extremely courageous. During a time when sexuality was not a topic that was openly discussed, people stood together and marched. We have come a long way since then, and will hopefully, continue to go up from here. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Sense of Community
It is such a show of progress to see thousands of people stand together at PrideFest. Thousands of St. Louisans, whether they are a part of the LGBTQ community or not, stand together for a greater purpose – a huge family fighting for what they believe in. St. Louis is segregated in many ways, but younger generations are trying to do their part to change the future. Now that’s something for the history books.
http://gty.im/972967480
Empowerment
Critics often question why there is not a Pride event to celebrate heterosexual people. That’s where many get Pride’s agenda confused. Pride month is meant to celebrate everyone, no matter how different they may seem. This is a come-as-you-are event. You can wear your craziest outfit, rainbow hair colors and makeup. No one is there to judge. Everyone is there to empower and support each other. Many social media influencers and celebrities have posted their #PRIDE posts, and we love it!
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLXldoHAs8/
Celebrating #Pride month with a full heart! Love is love is love! #OITNB pic.twitter.com/PqNCyh6Bn2
— Laura Prepon (@LauraPrepon) June 28, 2019
"happy world pride" – lady gaga https://t.co/GcSF8u9CML
— Gaga Crave 🌷 (@AMENARTPOP) June 28, 2019
PrideFest 2019 will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, at the Soldiers’ Memorial Park on Market Street, between North 15th and North Tucker streets. For a list of the event schedule, click here.
