Photo Post: Tri-Pride 2023

For the past several years I’ve volunteered my services to the Pride Festival here in the Tri-Cities. Being a part – no matter how small – of creating a more inclusive and loving community is an integral piece of my work. As I’ve mentioned before I volunteer my services to a few organizations throughout the year, but every year I make sure that I make space for Pride fest. Because it’s something I believe in so strongly, and something that I know in our area is needed.

This year it was longer than it normally is and about 100 degrees all day, so I wasn’t able to stay for the entire thing. But I had a blast nonetheless and it was beautiful to see the park fill up with people there to find their community, support each other, and celebrate.

If you’d like to get involved in the events Tri-Cities Pride Festival puts together for our local community, check out their Instagram and Facebook pages and reach out to be a volunteer. Or attend one of their planning committee meetings. Or even just follow them and share when they post.

This year, the organization Rural Americans United hosted it for the year, while Tri-Cities Pride established their nonprofit status and organized their board. The CEO of RAU, Doug White, presented a welcome speech at the beginning of the event that was simply beautiful. An excerpt of his speech is below, along with some pictures from the event.

Enjoy.

Video of Tri-Pride 2023 speech exerpt and pictures.

Because we know that there is no greater statement as I just read, than for people to show up. We must always show up. If people think that we’re being timid, if people think that we are cowering, if people think that we don’t care, they will continue to take advantage of all of us, whoever you are. So thank you for being here.

Remember to live joyfully and authentically. Be you, whoever that is, and be proud of who you are. Be a good human and love others. Let’s join together to create a better, safer, more inclusive world.