Scotty Morgan
sfcc.scotty.morgan@gmail.com
Pride parades for the LGBT community are events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender culture and pride. The events also serve as a testament of the LGBT community’s right to love and live their lives the way they deserve to.
OutSpokane’s Bridget Potter is currently planning Spokane’s 25th Anniversary of the Pride Parade and making it the biggest and best Pride event to date.
“We’re bringing in Beverly McClellan from Season 1 of “The Voice” as our headliner,” Said Potter. “Also, at 6pm when the event normally shuts down we will be turning Riverfront Park into a extended dance party until 10 o’clock and then we will end the event with fireworks.”
Potter and OutSpokane is guaranteeing this year’s Parade to be a go to event this summer.
“The clock tower in Riverfront Park will be lit up in rainbow colors, we are putting up around twenty banners that say Pride in rainbow colors, there will be rainbow flags everywhere, our goal is to rainbow the hell out of downtown.” Said Potter.
Since the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, Pride has become one of the biggest celebrations for people’s rights.
“Pride started out as marches, then turned into this celebration. It’s important for the youth and for everybody to see you can be strong and capable and stand out to be yourself in safety.” Potter said.
SFCC’s Alliance will also be at the Parade they will have a booth showcasing their new t-shirts “Straight Outta The Closet” fit with a rainbow background. They will also be participating in the parade as well.
“This means tradition for The Alliance. To proudly represent SFCC in this annual event while waving the Alliance flag means that we no longer are afraid or feel shame,” Said The Alliance. “The Alliance has doubled its members in just the past month. GSA clubs are unlike any other on campus.”
The Alliance is always looking for new members and new friends and they hope Pride can showcase their safe, non-judgemental environment.
“Many that wish to join us are fearful and anxious about what family and friends will think, we hope we can still drive those interested and let them know we are a safe group, providing friendship in a safe place.” Said The Alliance.
In addition to the pride festivities, on June 8th, 8:00pm at Stray, Drag Queen LeLani Kaine is running for Miss Gay Pride Spokane.
“What being Miss Gay Pride means to me is the community comes together and stands up on their two fabulous legs and they don’t let society get to them. Having pride for life. Standing up and not letting anyone knock us down,” Said LeLani. “We’re here, we’re fabulous, and we’re here to Stray.”
A Pride ticket gets you into every event including the cruise on Coeur d’Alene. Stray owner Tyler Newman encourages everybody to get a ticket.
“This money doesn’t go to Stray it goes to our non-profits and with how much events and goodie bags you get Stray is basically paying you to come play,” Said Newman. “The ticket even gets you transportation to and from the cruise, we rented 3 busses and they will have a host and be serving alcohol.”
Purchase a “Pride Pass” ticket and get into every party and event throughout Pride Week. These Pride Pass tickets are $75. Pre-purchased tickets are the only way to get into the Exclusive VIP Parties, receive VIP Bags and T-shirts, Gifts and Give-away’s all week long. Between The Alliance, OutSpokane, and Stray this year’s pride is sure to be one of the best ones yet.