Grand Island Pride shows its power

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - At Grace Abbot Park several groups of people showed their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Grand Island Pride Festival featured multiple vendors, a guest speaker, a free T-shirt give away displaying this year’s theme ‘Pride is Power’, an aerial acrobatics show, and a magic show. The theme was strategically selected because there’s a certain meaning behind it.

“As an organization we chose the theme Pride is Power because right now in legislation and there are other community groups that are trying to tell queer people that we shouldn’t exist. So we believe there is power behind our pride,” said Chrissy Brooks, co-coordinator of Grand Island Pride.

Many people in the Pride community are aware that some in Nebraska’s position of leadership have shown opposition to the those who identify as LGBTQ+. The group of supporters marched to North Broadwell Avenue, where passerby’s showed their support by honking their horn. The results have the community feeling great about the event and support that doesn’t identify under the Pride categories.

“It really makes you feel like people see us,” said Brooks. “People see the queer people in this community and they acknowledge us. They acknowledge that we exist. They acknowledge that we’re equals. They acknowledge that we’re here and that they’re happy that we’re here.”

LGBTQ+ rights may still be new to most of the world but their fight started long before they were receiving rights in the early 2000s.

“Pride was originally celebrated 53 years ago when black and brown trans, drag queens took off their heels and they fought at the Stonewall Inn,” Brooks said.” They fought against oppression so that so we can celebrate like we do because of their sacrifices.”

Brooks is referencing the iconic start of the Pride rights movement on June 28, 1969 when Pride people rioted in New York City on behave of drag queen, Marsha P. Johnson.

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