By Panhandle Equality
Panhandle Equality will host it’s twelfth annual pride festival throughout June and July in four panhandle communities. We invite all community members regardless of LGBTQ+ status to come and celebrate with us at the events throughout the season:
- Scottsbluff Pride will include Free BINGO night and 50/50 raffle on Friday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Western Nebraska Arts Center and the twelfth annual Pride in the Park featuring booths, games, food trucks and more on Sunday May 31 from 11-3 at Frank Park
- Alliance Pride in the Park will take place at Central Park by the fountain from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 13 and will feature booths, games, food trucks and more
- Sidney Pride in the Park will take place at Living Memorial Gardens and will feature a potluck lunch and kickball on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-Chadron Pride in the Park will take place on July 18 and will feature games, booths, food trucks and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Dawes County Courthouse
Every year the question gets asked about why certain groups celebrate their culture and why others don’t. I can’t speak for your group but for the LGBTQ+ community pride is a reminder of our resilience. It remembers the protests held by Trans, Gay and Queer members of the community in years past to fight for the rights of marriage, community acceptance, belonging and healthcare.
Today we are still on fraught ground. With attacks being made toward our trans community members we must continue to show up with and for each other. The rain may be a down pour but if our history tells us anything, it is that our rainbows are persistent. Hope to see you there!
Visit panhandleequality.org to learn more about all of the events taking place throughout theyear!