Last weekend, the Twin Cities community gathered to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities in a parade and gathering at Loring Park in Minneapolis. Music, food and love filled the atmosphere as vendors, creators, volunteers and attendees gathered in community to express pride in their identities.
There was no shortage of activities at Twin Cities Pride. Vendors hosted fun games and handed out free stickers, buttons and prizes. Multiple stages throughout the park featured live music and shows, local food and drink suppliers and artists who sold paintings, jewelry, photographs and clothing.
At one booth, members of the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance disbursed affirmations and glitter. One affirmation read: “May your voice be heard, your truth be honored, & your identity be celebrated.”
“Our main thing is love,” Dallas Rising, the senior movement organizer of MUUSJA, said. “It leaves space for pluralism, which is one of our values.”
By accepting all religions, or those with no religion at all, they have formed a diverse group of identities. Often, people who find MUUSJA have experienced some form of spiritual harm from religious institutions that weren’t accepting of their identities.
“We’re less concerned about what happens after you die than how we are with how we behave while we’re here making meaning together,” Rising said.
Their mission of justice, love and acceptance closely aligns with Pride’s mission, which their website says is, “To empower every LGBTQIA2S+ person to live as their true self.”
Another stand-out booth was Foundations Minnesota, a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Minneapolis. They have two recovery programs: One standard program and one specifically designed for queer people.
“People can go there and feel safer talking about things,” Kevin Mee, the alumni coordinator for the facility’s PRIDE Program, said.
In a recovery facility, it is especially important that people feel comfortable expressing their identities. Foundations Minnesota asserts that it provides programming created to support LGBTQ+ individuals by recognizing their lived experiences, addressing social barriers and celebrating their strengths.
Cadre was another booth tailored around health, specifically focusing on preventative care with mental well-being. Founded in 2023, this was the first booth appearance for Cadre at Pride.
“We feel like this is our time,” Emily Hanson, the company’s vice president of growth, said.
Pride was full of impactful moments for Hanson, but one stood out from the rest.
“During Pride, we’ve been doing little podcasts around learning to be kind to yourself, and we had somebody yesterday actually come out during the podcast,” Hanson said.
Cadre prioritizes creating space for others to come together in community, to listen and to understand. Moments like this reflect the sense of community and belonging that Pride continues to foster.
Gosh Alice Jones, the MC at the Rainbow stage, has an important role at Pride. She tells people what is going on, greets people, introduces the acts and keeps people entertained in between sets. As a long-time Pride attendee, she said this year’s Pride may top previous years.
“We see a lot of people out celebrating, enjoying themselves, being their authentic self, and I think that’s such a good message,” Jones said. “We can be who we want and be happy.”
Pride has a unique way of making attendees feel welcome because of its core values: Acceptance, love, and pride.
Jones offered sage advice for first-time Pride-goers.
“They can be themselves; that’s the biggest form of bravery. It’s amazing to do that, and the happiness that comes from that is transformative,” Jones said.
