Tiara Terry
Lansing Pride Festival starting the day off with a rally at the capitol building.
LANSING—On June 15, thousands of local residents united to celebrate Pride.
The day of festivities began at noon with the parade beginning at Adado Riverfront Park and ending at the Capitol Building for a peaceful rally.
The rally served a purpose of unity and an outlet of voices to discuss the struggles of the LGBTQ community as well as the success that has been achieved throughout the years.
Guest speakers such as Michigan Pride board members, two transgender teens, the Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel and many more were able to express their gratitude for the community.
“Pride is important here in Lansing for the visibility factor,” said Michigan Pride board member Ricci Stollsteimer. “It’s for people to see that we are out here and we are celebrating who we are.”
After the rally, guests made their way to Old Town to enjoy the festival. Over 20 vendors participated in the support of pride weekend. Some of which included, T-Mobile, the Michigan State Police Department, Planned Parenthood and many local churches.
“Our church is an open affirming, friendly church so our goal was to reach out and show support to the community,” said Haslett community church attendee Karen Klein.
The Michigan State Police showed their support by using the event as an opportunity to recruit attendees for a potential job.
“We are always looking for trooper applicants as well as trying to get out into more diverse communities that we haven’t been,” said Lt. Lisa Rish.
Along with job applications, guests were able to shop, eat, dance, mingle, win prizes and so much more.
“I appreciate the accepting and flow of the community, it is really such a safe space,” said attendee Jacob Samways. “I love seeing people happy and being free to be themselves.”
Stollsteimer said that the festival surpassed its previous records of supporters and vendors and that they plan to aim even higher for next year.