Celebrating Community, Courage, and Connection with Local Pride Organizations  

Pride is an important celebration. It celebrates individuals for who they are and honors the resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community.  

The first Pride events were organized marches, held in June 1970 in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago to honor the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Since then, Pride has become a global movement. It continues to acknowledge LGBTQIA+ history, achievements, and struggles, while advocating for lasting change. Locally, Pride organizations hope to inspire a sense of belonging year-round through annual events, monthly meetings, and educational outreach. 

“At Pride events, people come together,” says Frances Cintrón, Fergus Area Pride Board Member. “For some, it’s their first Pride, and they end up just having the best time.” 

Pride is more than just a celebration; it’s a continuous community effort to include everyone and acknowledge all aspects of the journey—joy, love, positivity—but also mental health struggles, isolation, and rejection. 

Local Pride, Lasting Change 

Recently, Fergus Area Pride and Morris Pride formed to celebrate individuals and bring visibility to the queer community. Both organizations invite and encourage people to help create a world where everyone is accepted. “Our hope is that people can just be themselves,” says Frances. 

Fergus Area Pride is focused on local partnerships, leadership, and elevating rural queer voices. This newly formed nonprofit organization is completely volunteer-run and celebrates LGBTQIA+ identity, resilience, and community in and around Fergus Falls. 

Similarly, Morris Pride hopes to bring awareness to the queer community, help people feel seen, and make lasting connections within the greater Morris community. It started last year as an idea around a campfire and grew into a community event with over 80 attendees and local business support. 

“I hope our Pride event continues to do what it’s currently doing, which is making connections and building bridges,” says Morris Pride Board Member Cameron Berthiaume. 

Fostering Rural Belonging 

Rural Pride organizations like Fergus Area Pride and Morris Pride are valuable resources for small communities. The events they host help unite people, build support networks, and establish friendships.  

At rural Pride events, the culture of community is on display. Families, friends, neighbors, and local businesses come together to celebrate and support one another while building a welcoming community. This community aspect is powerful––visibility can be truly life-changing.  “It helps us recognize that we’re not alone,” Cameron says. 

By attending rural Pride events and showing support for the queer community, love and acceptance grow. Pride helps people feel confident, safe, and like they belong. 

Growing in Allyship 

When it comes to supporting the queer community,“It doesn’t end with Pride events,” Frances says. “It’s being supportive of that person that you know who’s part of the LGBTQIA+ community and struggling, whether it be family, a friend, or a co-worker.” 

Even if you don’t identify as LGBTQIA+, regularly showing up and showing support as an ally is powerful. It’s rooted in learning, empathy, and willingness to grow. While support and inclusivity can take many forms, practicing allyship truly starts with small, meaningful actions. These everyday acts of kindness and respect help cultivate safe, welcoming communities where everyone feels like they belong.  

“It might take practice, but learn and use somebody’s preferred pronouns,” Cameron says. “I think it’s worth it, and it shows respect.” 

Fergus Area Pride and Morris Pride have a big impact on their communities. These organizations are working to create space in the community where everyone can be themselves, and remind us that LGBTQIA+ celebration, community, and connection can thrive anywhere. 

Celebrate Pride Locally 

Support your local LGBTQIA+ communities and celebrate Pride at one of the many regional Pride events, including Lakes Area Pride’s Pride in the Park on July 12 from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. in Alexandria and PRIDE Fargo-Moorhead August 3-10 in Fargo.