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Relive moments from KC Pride Parade that drew thousands: ‘Really special to see'
Looking out across the street at parade floats passing by, Matthew Gudahl smiled as someone with a megaphone shouted, 'Happy Pride.'
Gudahl, 37, stood out as he was surrounded by people wearing outfits full of bright colors along the sidewalk of Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.
On his charcoal gray T-shirt, a raccoon wore rainbow sunglasses and held a pride flag.
'We're celebrating that we are here. We are real people,' Gudahl said. 'We really just want equality. We're just trying to exist and have a productive life with the person we love.'
Kansas City's Pride Parade kicked off Saturday's long list of activities at KC PrideFest, celebrating identity and progress made in LGBTQ rights across the nation.
This year marks KC Pride's 50th annual gathering, organizers said online.
Sidewalks along the parade route were packed with thousands of people holding flags and signs, cheering for various parade participants.
On one float, a stunt man juggled fire. A few spots behind him, a drumline cadence echoed off plaza buildings.
Among a community of others doing the same, 31-year-old Blaine Folsom said he attended Kansas City Pride to celebrate his identity and show younger people that it's OK to be themselves.
Folsom said Pride in Kansas City marks a time of celebration, but also advocacy.
'Especially in the state of Missouri, all kinds of legislation was introduced this past year taking aim at our rights,' Folsom said. 'So it's very important to show up and let the community know we are here; We can belong here.'
In Missouri, there were at least 39 bills proposed that, if passed, could restrict rights that the LGBTQ community is advocating for, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
A bill introduced this past February, Missouri HB 1362, would require a person seeking to obtain an ID denoting a sex other than their sex assigned at birth to provide an amended birth certificate with the sex designation.
Another bill, HB 1085, would restrict public school teachers and staff from engaging in topics of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms and during extracurricular activities.
The bill would make it illegal for staff to discuss their personal sexual orientation and gender identity with students, and would require staff to notify parents if a student brought up the topic.
According to the ACLU, HB 1085 concerned LGBTQ advocates because it creates forced outing in schools and criminalizes expression of identity.
Folsom, who works as a legislative aid in Jefferson City, said he urges people in the LGBTQ community to call their legislators about bills that concern them.
'It's very important to let them not forget, because the second you hang up the phone, they might forget,' Folsom said. 'Just keep calling them, blast them, let them know that you're here. Continue the advocacy.'
While there was a huge turnout at the KC Pride Parade this year, a downpour of rain cut the celebration short for some. Those without umbrellas crouched under trees and retreated to awnings of businesses and apartment buildings.
Still, some rainbow umbrellas stood out among the gray, overcast day. Many parade participants ended up soaked.
Standing at the end of the parade route near Theis Park on Saturday was 21-year-old Aniya Patterson. This year was her first celebrating Pride, having come out as LGBTQ within the past year.
The recent K-State graduate said she has enjoyed the celebration, despite anxiety caused by the current political climate.
'It's just nice to be able to openly experience something new,' Patterson said. 'I'm not from Kansas City, so having this much community around pride and everyone being so supportive, it's really special to see.'
Following the parade, KC PrideFest opened up at noon for a full day of entertainment. The three-day event began Friday and lasts through Sunday.
Those interested in attending can find a full list of events on KC Pride social media accounts.
