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“A lot of Midwest states aren’t that accepting (of LGBT community), but I love how friendly this place is,” she said.Ĭlark, Parker and their other friends created colorful “free hugs” signs that took about five hours to craft and carried them around the festival.Ī flag ceremony and national anthem kicked off the main stage’s entertainment, followed by Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether who officially proclaimed June as Pride Month in Sioux Falls, adding that 27,000 South Dakotans identify as part of LGBT community. She also said she’s proud of how friendly Sioux Falls is toward the LGBT community. “It’s a great opportunity to support my friends.”Ī friend of Clark’s, Raven Parker, 16, said she was a little worried to go to the event after she had heard about what happened in Orlando, but knowing security around the area was increased ultimately helped her decide to attend and show her support. “And I’ve felt accepted here even as an ally,” she said. Joubert-Gaddis also said a record number of allies for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community attended.Ĭlark, 16, said she likes the feeling of being able to be there for her friends who identify as LGBT.
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All ages went to Terrace Park, from diaper-aged to those who took particular interest in the AARP booth. This year’s attendance was expected to reach between 8,000 and 10,000, up from about 5,000 last year, said the Center for Equality director of operations Ashley Joubert-Gaddis. More are coming out and that shows we’re stronger than ever.” Staying at home is saying we’re not as strong. “I was not nervous (to come out here),” Nelson, 32, of Sioux Falls, said. This seemed to be the reoccurring theme among festival attendees, especially for Aaron Nelson. Just a weekend before the pride festival in Sioux Falls, a gunman shot more than 100 people in a gay night club in Orlando, Fla., leaving 49 dead, an event that could scare away people from attending the festival.
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“That’s one reason why I’m here.”īut more seriously, she said she was at the festival for solidarity.Īnd so were the other thousands of festival goers. 8pL18FfLpw- #VoteRays June 17, 2016Īhead of their matchup with the San Francisco Giants, the Rays observed a moment of silence for the victims, as well, before having Billy Bean - the former MLB outfielder who came out in 1999 and now serves as the league's vice-president for social responsibility - throw out the ceremonial first pitch.“Well, I’m gay,” she laughed. Tonight, the #Rays wear caps formerly worn by the Orlando Rays Double-A Southern League affiliate from 1999-2003. The home club also sported some throwback caps on an emotional night at the ballpark, with Tampa Bay rocking Orlando Rays hats - a throwback to their short-lived Southern League affiliate - that will be autographed and auctioned off after the game. "In the wake of a terrible tragedy, and in a matter of hours, 40,000 people have chosen to come together, to stand side by side in a show of support for the victims, their families, the city of Orlando, and the greater LGBT community." "We are grateful for and proud of the region's response to our Pride Night dedication," Rays president Brian Auld told MLB.com's Bill Chastain.