East-Central Minnesota Pride

East-Central Minnesota Pride is the yearly celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) residents in the rural area near Pine City, Minnesota, United States. 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.

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

Controversies
  • Counter-Protests. 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]
  • "Bad Apples" Comment. 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, 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. Andy Birkey. "Pine City Pride endures despite rival 'family values' event". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  3. "Small-town gay pride picnic prompts protest". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  4. "No pride: Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl calls LGBT citizens "bad apples" for sign use". Bluestem Prairie. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  5. "Pine County wary about community sign". Moose Lake Star Gazette. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  6. "Welcome, Everyone, to Pine City". Daily Yonder. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  7. "Minnesota's Small-Town Gay Pride (Pine City)". Changemakers.com. Retrieved 19 December 2018.

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