East-Central Minnesota Pride

East Central Minnesota Pride, Voyageur Park, Pine City, Minnesota

East-Central Minnesota Pride is the yearly celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) residents of East Central Minnesota. It is just one of two prides held in a rural community in the U.S.[1] The celebration is held during the first weekend in June in Pine City, Minnesota.

A welcome sign at East-Central Minnesota Pride, featuring symbols from the region, including the Mora Dala Horse, Pine City Voyageur, Hinckley Fire Monument, Rush City Walleye and a Braham Pie.

Controversies

  • Early Prides were subject to counter-protests across town in a separate park, and were billed as pro family events[2]. Rural Pine County residents claimed they were offended by a Pride advertisement stating, "It's okay to be GAY in Pine City", featuring a pink boa on the town's iconic monument, François the Voyageur.[3]
  • In 2014, Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl called Pride organizers "bad apples" at a County Board meeting for using a community sign on school property to promote the event.[4] The sign referenced was used by more than 20 community groups and nonprofit organizations until East Central Minnesota Pride, which is also a nonprofit, wanted space to promote its event; then, the school voted to use the sign only for school-related events.[5]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardDescriptionNominator(s)Result
2011 Minnesota Community Pride! Showcase Award This award, given at the Minnesota State Fair, highlights the celebration of diversity and culture in the community, particularly with East-Central Minnesota Pride and Pine City’s embracing of its people, as well as its courage and the fact that it is a welcoming community.[6] City of Pine City Won[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Small-Town Gay Pride Picnic Prompts Protest". WCCO-TV. 2007-06-02. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  2. ↑ https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/pine-city-pride-endures-despite-rival-family-values-event/
  3. ↑ https://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/mn/small-town-gay-pride-picnic-prompts-protest/article_d86a8dec-fb18-5519-b2e8-5c1e26513165.html
  4. ↑ http://www.bluestemprairie.com/bluestemprairie/2014/02/no-pride-pine-county-commissioner-mitch-pangerl-calls-lgbt-citizens-bad-apples-for-sign-use.html
  5. ↑ https://www.mlstargazette.com/story/2014/01/16/news/pine-county-wary-about-community-sign/917.html
  6. ↑ https://www.dailyyonder.com/welcome-everyone-pine-city/2011/08/29/3494/
  7. ↑ https://www.changemakers.com/node/167865

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