Community gathers despite heat, rain to celebrate Ozarks Pridefest

Gay and transgender Springfieldians celebrated Pride at a packed Ozarks Pridefest on Saturday. Attendees stood shoulder-to-shoulder as drag queens and other members of the LGBTQ+ community paraded down the streets of the center of Springfield.

The annual Ozarks Pridefest was the culmination of a difficult year for their community as state legislation has impacted LGBTQ+ adults and children. While a celebration, much of the event took on a tone of a resistance march — with many signs declaring support for transgender individuals in particular.

The theme of this year's Ozarks Pridefest is "we are family" and GLO Center Board President Kyler Sherman-Wilkins told the crowd that is very appropriate after a year of hardship for the LGBTQ+ community.

"I cannot think of a better theme for this historical moment. When I think of family, I think of those who support one another. Those who love one another. And those who are uplifting one another, and Lord knows we need that uplifting today," he said.

Referencing more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country, Sherman-Wilkins pointed out two newly-minted laws passed by the state legislature this year and recently signed by Governor Mike Parson — calling them a "state-sanctioned attack on the transgender community in Missouri."

The two laws ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors and prohibit trans youth from participating in school sports teams of their gender identity.

"We also have politicians at the local and state level who punch down on our communities in an attempt to elevate themselves politically. And yes, we are here to celebrate, which in essence is an act of resistance, and that resistance does bear fruit ..." Sherman-Wilkins said. "We're here to celebrate. We're here to uplift each other. We're here to be in community and build community for the work that lies ahead. And I want you to remember that as we're celebrating and having fun. But at the end of the day pride is about resistance."

At the same time the LGBTQ organizer pointed out progress the community has made at a local level. Earlier this week, Springfield city council adopted a non-binding resolution to formally recognize Pridefest and label the Springfield as an inclusive and non-discriminatory city. Passing in an 8-1 vote, at least two co-sponsors of the resolution — Brandon Jenson and Heather Hardinger — attended Pridefest.

Parade-goers were joined by Missouri state House Democratic minority leader Crystal Quade, who also acknowledged the "tough year" she and the queer community has had in Jefferson City. But she told the crowd that their joy and fun at Pride makes those opposed to their rights very angry.

"This year was tough. It was the hardest year in my seven years that I've been there. But you guys kept showing up. You kept giving hugs. You kept making phone calls and you kept giving us the strength to continue. And I want to say to you I have to continue for you and to never stop showing up for the LGBTQI community. And we are not going to stop until everyone feels welcome in the state of Missouri. Let's show them we're going nowhere and we're gonna have a hell of a fun time today," Quade said.

The Springfield state Representative noted she had been warned to not attend Pridefest this year because of threats and safety concerns. That was not an option, according to Quade.

"There have been legitimate threats about our safety here today. And I got lots of phone calls from folks saying, 'Hey, I don't think you should go,'" she admitted.

"When they say to us, 'if you don't like it, leave,' I want you to say back to them, 'This is our state, and we are going nowhere.'"

Ozarks Pridefest upped their security this year amid those increased threats to safety.

In addition to security from the Greene County Sheriff's Office — a typical requirement for an event like Pridefest — Springfield Pride also had private security, volunteers and specialists monitoring social media sites for potential threats.

"We understand being afraid in today's environment. We are afraid, but our fear is of losing what is truly at stake here: there are always people and groups actively working to weaken our community," wrote Ozarks Pridefest in a Facebook post in the days before the event. "They are trying to take our rights, our freedom and our Pride away from us. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid. Some of our greatest heroes have been afraid. Homophobic bullying is poison, and it is meant to stoke fear and division."

Private security, as well as Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputies, stood out in their all-black outfits among the rainbow crowd. However, both organizations said things had been pretty quiet throughout the morning.As of 1 p.m. there had been no one protesting Pridefest or the drag show, though a man with a sandwich board inscribed with John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son”) did wander silently through the square around noon, not engaging with anyone.

Twelve protesters carrying a “Reclaim America” banner and wearing gaiters to cover their face appeared around 2 p.m. The group, at the intersection of South Avenue and McDaniels Street, were blocked by counter-protesters when the Greene County Sheriff’s office arrived, according to a deputy on site.

The group dispersed around 2:30 p.m.

Attendees ranged from elderly adults to infants being carried — and almost no one seemed concerned by the increased security announced earlier this week. Many with kids said they felt safe given the law enforcement presence.

Kayla Spencer attended with her school-age daughter.

“I think (Pridefest) is important to spread awareness of other cultures,” Spencer said. “I think that local law enforcement have taken steps to ensure security; I think it’s admirable that they volunteered to be part of security."

Attendee Markus Blain brought his husband and six-year-old son to the parade. Though he had minor concerns over protestors, he thought it was important for his son to see there other families like his in Springfield.

"This is like one day a year that people can go someplace and be themselves. And it's important for kids to see that because there are so many different people in this world," he told the News-Leader.

Having two dads, Blain said his son is only now realizing his family is a bit different from those of his friends.

Blain, who is transgender, said he has found recent legislation targeting trans people "terrifying."

"But I think going to events like Pride kind of helps me feel less alone in this because sometimes even though I know other trans people — sometimes it just feels like I'm alone in this. It's easy to forget that there are other people just like me."

Drag at family-friendly Pridefest?

When Springfield City Council approved their Pride resolution earlier this week, residents and one councilmember in opposition cited the presence and performance of drag queens at Pridefest as reasoning for their opposition.

At the time, councilman Derek Lee called LGBTQ issues "divisive" and decried city government's promotion of Ozarks Pridefest.

"Many parents in Springfield consider the content of Pridefest as adult-oriented and should not be celebrated by this body in the public square. Members of this body want us to ignore the divisive history of this issue and may look at anything other than full support as lacking in love for the LGBTQ+ community," he said — echoing comment from several members of the public at the meeting.

The day's first drag performances followed the parade and speeches. Akin to a dance recital on the square, drag queens lip-synched to songs like "Hallelujah" and "We are the Champions" while collecting tips. None of the performances at the early afternoon show violated public indecency rules and dress was appropriate for an all-ages crowd.

Drag queen Ruby Diamond, who was not in drag at the event, mocked concerns over drag performances at the family-friendly event. They pointed to the Miss Gay Springfield America pageant, which has been held for decades.

"We're getting ready to crown our 47th Miss Gay Springfield. So I don't know why they're having a fit about drag queens since we've been in Springfield since the '40s. I don't know why they just now thought, 'hey, we have drag queens in Springfield!' Who woulda knew that?" they said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Pridefest attracts hundreds in downtown Springfield