4 days ago
Oklahomans kick off Pride Month in the metro with packed parade on 39th Street
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — June is Pride Month and Oklahomans from near and far gathered across the metro to celebrate.
Joy and freedom is what many at Sunday's Pride parade say it's all about.
'It's a family outside of blood. It's a family that's there for people who don't have a blood family,' said Dusty Engel.
Sonja Martinez told News 4, 'It's about everybody and we all need each other, especially in today's time. We all need each other and this is our party.'
Families, kids and pets packed 39th Street to kick off Pride Month, enjoying music, food and community.
'It's like kind of triumph through adversity and like, that's something to be proud of and being true to yourself and who you are and everything like that,' said David Gleeson.
Gleeson is the oldest of ten siblings, teaching them about the history of Pride and why it's important.
'I've spent my life being open and, like, visible to my younger siblings. And so, I feel like that's important because, if kids see it early, then they won't become hateful as adults,' Gleeson said.
In this year's legislative session, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning obscene performances adult performances in the public. Many people at Sunday's parade heard about the law.
Dusty Engel said, 'People like to judge before seeing something. Come out to Pride, see what a drag queen really does with the community. They're the backbone and they're here to push our rights. They're here to just help us, they're here to educate kids. You know, they're not here to show obscenities.
Gleeson added, 'If they would just come out here and have an open mind I would hope they change their minds.'
Sonja Martinez said everyone in the community depends on one another.
'We all have basically the same dreams. We just want to let people love who we want to love and let us be ourselves,' Martinez said.
Oklahoma City Mayor, David Holt, also kicked off the month with a post on social media reading, 'As the eyes of the world turn to our city this coming week, they will know that all people are welcome in Oklahoma City, a place of inclusion, freedom and love. Happy Pride, OKC!'
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