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| Photo by Kristyna Wentz-Graff, OPB |
Logan Casey, a senior policy researcher at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank, told Howard: "The threat is extreme. LGBTQ people in rural areas were already effectively at a disadvantage when it came to legal equality and policy protections. . . . It's not that rural life experiences are uniquely homophobic or transphobic. . . . But the structural conditions that make rural life unique really amplify experiences of discrimination. . . and now with this dramatic escalation of legislative attacks, [those] disparities are just getting worse and worse."
Rural Pride Fest events "have seen a spate of threats. . . including attempted arson using Molotov cocktails during a drag show at an affirming church in Chesterland, Ohio (pop. 7,400) and a pepper-spray assault at a Pride event in Bozeman, Montana (population 55,000)," Howard writes. "Organizers of an all-ages drag show . . . to support transgender youth in Pikeville, Kentucky, (pop. 8,000), in the heart of Appalachian coal country, were forced to cancel the event due to numerous threats of gun violence."
Rural Pride Fest events "have seen a spate of threats. . . including attempted arson using Molotov cocktails during a drag show at an affirming church in Chesterland, Ohio (pop. 7,400) and a pepper-spray assault at a Pride event in Bozeman, Montana (population 55,000)," Howard writes. "Organizers of an all-ages drag show . . . to support transgender youth in Pikeville, Kentucky, (pop. 8,000), in the heart of Appalachian coal country, were forced to cancel the event due to numerous threats of gun violence."
Many rural Pride celebrations had no trouble. Fests in Oregon and Louisiana highlighted a sense of community and acceptance with activities, performances, education and medical care opportunities.
In Dalles, Oregon, pop. 16,000, "celebrations range from marches and festivals to clothing swaps and boat rides," reports Rolando Hernandez of Oregon Public Broadcasting. "While Pride events can range from drag shows and arts and crafts, one resource. . . groups are offering de-escalation training." Laura Erceg, director of Southern Oregon Coast Pride, told Hernandez, "The unfortunate reality is that safety is a conversation that all of us have at all of our events." Hernandez reports, "Erceg is aware there may be people who want to protest, detract and scare others from attending Pride events, but believes that training like this can help educate the community and allow attendees to continue celebrating."
Pride of Southwest Louisiana's third annual Pride Fest was held in a "remote corner of Calcasieu Parish. . . in the small unincorporated community of Big Lake. . . an unlikely setting for an LGBTQ+ celebration." Yet, hundreds came, reports Natalie McLendon of the Louisiana Illuminator. "A Pride flag with the slogan 'Abide No Hatred' marked the entrance. Outside, attendees shared conversation while waiting on the next drag queen to perform. . . . Vendors and organizations welcomed attendees under the shade of tailgate tents."
SWLA's Pride Fest also offered an area for attendees to receive medical care. "Nonprofits such as SWLA Harm Reduction, Comprehensive Care Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana were also present," McLendon writes. "SWLA Harm Reduction program coordinator Peyton Boozer told McLendon: "There are so many barriers to access to care in our rural community, so our mobile unit allows us to meet people where they are. I think people are reticent to enter a clinical setting, so we offer a different type of environment to talk about wellness and check your status."
Big Brothers Big Sisters board member Alex Richard "said he wants young LGBTQ+ people to know there are safe places for them in southwest Louisiana," reports McLendon. Richard told her: "Some people are brave enough to be out in public and can be a light for young people. In this region, when you feel like you're the only one like you, that's a lonely place. So it's important to be out and yourself if possible. Pride isn't always just one day or one weekend out of the year."
In Dalles, Oregon, pop. 16,000, "celebrations range from marches and festivals to clothing swaps and boat rides," reports Rolando Hernandez of Oregon Public Broadcasting. "While Pride events can range from drag shows and arts and crafts, one resource. . . groups are offering de-escalation training." Laura Erceg, director of Southern Oregon Coast Pride, told Hernandez, "The unfortunate reality is that safety is a conversation that all of us have at all of our events." Hernandez reports, "Erceg is aware there may be people who want to protest, detract and scare others from attending Pride events, but believes that training like this can help educate the community and allow attendees to continue celebrating."
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| Calcasieu Lake is also known as "Big Lake." (Wikipedia map) |
SWLA's Pride Fest also offered an area for attendees to receive medical care. "Nonprofits such as SWLA Harm Reduction, Comprehensive Care Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana were also present," McLendon writes. "SWLA Harm Reduction program coordinator Peyton Boozer told McLendon: "There are so many barriers to access to care in our rural community, so our mobile unit allows us to meet people where they are. I think people are reticent to enter a clinical setting, so we offer a different type of environment to talk about wellness and check your status."
Big Brothers Big Sisters board member Alex Richard "said he wants young LGBTQ+ people to know there are safe places for them in southwest Louisiana," reports McLendon. Richard told her: "Some people are brave enough to be out in public and can be a light for young people. In this region, when you feel like you're the only one like you, that's a lonely place. So it's important to be out and yourself if possible. Pride isn't always just one day or one weekend out of the year."
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