The ruling extends marriage rights to same-sex couples in all 50 states. In a 5-4 decision released Friday, the Supreme Court found states that deny same-sex couples the right to marry are in violation of the 14 th Amendment, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws. “We fight for equality in the workplace, and it’s great to have equality in marriage too.” “We want to show our solidarity with other workers no matter if they’re gay, straight, transgender – it doesn’t matter,” CWA Local 7250 member Alaric Poseley-Hatton said. The labor federation has maintained a presence in the parade for years, and Minnesota unions – and unions across the country – have been staunch allies in fight for LGBT rights. Haataja was among more than 50 people who marched in the parade behind the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s banner. “We’re always fighting it feels good to be celebrating for a change,” Charli Haataja, a member of Local 7250 of the Communications Workers of America, said. Union members joined the party at the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade in Minneapolis yesterday, cheering the Supreme Court’s historic decision making marriage equality the law of the land. both Saturday and Sunday. Twin Cities Pride says they plan to have everything back and more next year because it will be their 50th year, and they want it to be the biggest year yet.Joanne Hager and her daughter Amelia march in the Pride Parade along Hennepin Avenue. The Loring Park Pride festival is happening from 10 a.m. “We celebrate pride every day, but it’s so nice to be able to see so much support from our community and to be able to be here with other people,” said another festival participant Victor Barge. “It honestly felt like nothing changed when we all came back together, it was so nice,” said Kong.Įven though a few traditions were missing this year, everyone was just happy to be back together, in a safe, welcoming space. Chue Chi Kong is thrilled to be playing in person with his team again, which also took a hiatus during the pandemic. In the middle of the park, the Gay Lesbian Amateur Sports Society – better known as GLASS – picked up a pride volleyball tournament. READ MORE: Twin Cities Pride Increases Accessibility For First Festival In 2 Years “Festival sales may be 90% of my income, so with small businesses like mine, having no festivals last year was devastating,” said Kathner Tucker. She’s happy to be back to an in-person pride event because this contributes to most of her revenue. “This year was a lot harder to get in as a vendor,” said Quinn Kathner Tucker, who owns Queen on the Scene, a LGBTQ operated t-shirt and accessories shop from South Dakota. Organizers say they kept participation slightly smaller to help social distance throughout the park. The Loring Park festival has around 300 vendors this year, which is 100 fewer vendors than they usually have for this event. TC Pride organizers said this was simply because they did not have enough time to coordinate those events in the small planning window they were given once restrictions were lifted earlier this year. However, there will be not be a Pride parade or march, nightly concerts, or fireworks.
There will be vendors, food trucks and drag shows both days in the park. The weekend started off with the Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday night, and will continue with the Loring Park Festival on Saturday and Sunday. There are events happening all weekend long, with the exception of a few. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Twin Cities Pride was canceled last year, and its return is one of the very first large events since the pandemic began.