East-Central Minnesota Pride

Festival information booth

East-Central Minnesota Pride is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents in the rural area near Pine City, Minnesota, United States.[1] At the time of its inception, it was the first rural community in the U.S. to hold a Pride celebration.[2] It was also the first pride gathering held outside of a metropolitan area in Minnesota. The celebration is held during the first weekend in June.

Background

Audience watching show in bandshell in Robinson Park

East Central Minnesota consists of Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs counties.[3] The 2010 US Census identified Pine City and its surrounding area as one of the highest concentration same-sex coupled households of any non-metropolitan areas in the state.[4]

To recognize the 5th anniversary of the East Central Men's Circle, which provides support to gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning men in the area, a picnic was held in 2005. Hundreds of people turned out for the occasion.[5] This event is recognised as the first East Central Minnesota Pride event.

East-Central Minnesota Pride became an official nonprofit in 2010.[6]

In 2020, the event was canceled to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Other community organizations and groups have since become involved in the planning and running of the event, including East Central Purple Circle, a group of lesbian, queer, and allied women in the region; and East Central Minnesota Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).[4]

History

The first rural Pride historic marker

In 2026, a historic marker commemorating East-Central Minnesota Pride was installed at Voyageur Park in Pine City.[7][8]

Controversies

Early Pride events were subject to counter-protests across town in a separate park, and were billed as pro family events.[9] Rural Pine County residents claimed they were offended by a Pride advertisement stating, "It's okay to be GAY in Pine City", featuring a pink boa on the town's iconic monument, François the Voyageur.[10]

In 2014, Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl called Pride organizers "bad apples" at a county board meeting for using a community sign on school property to promote the event.[11] The sign referenced was used by more than 20 community groups and nonprofit organizations until East Central Minnesota Pride, also a nonprofit, wanted space to promote its event; then the school voted to use the sign only for school-related events.[12][3]

In 2022, concerns were expressed that Marraccino was an inappropriate emcee for the Pride event due to his past experience as a pornographic film actor. The City of Pine City stood by the event and did not withhold any necessary permitting for it to occur.[13]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardDescriptionNominator(s)Result
2011 Minnesota Community Pride! Showcase Award This award, given at the Minnesota State Fair, highlights the celebration of diversity and culture in the community, particularly with East-Central Minnesota Pride and Pine City’s embracing of its people, as well as its courage and the fact that it is a welcoming community.[14] City of Pine City Won[15]

Notable performers

References

  1. ↑ "East Central Minnesota Pride organizer talks LGBTQ community in Pine City". MPR News. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  2. ↑ "Small-Town Gay Pride Picnic Prompts Protest". WCCO-TV. 2007-06-02. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  3. 1 2 "How Minnesota's First Small-Town LGBTQ Pride Survived and Thrived". www.advocate.com. 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  4. 1 2 "Rural Communities Join Together to Celebrate Pride". The Daily Yonder. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Nathan (2011-08-29). "Welcome, Everyone, to Pine City". The Daily Yonder. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  6. ↑ "East Central Minnesota Pride". East Central Minnesota Pride. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  7. ↑ https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/minnesota-rural-pride-marker
  8. ↑ https://outfrontmagazine.com/a-landmark-for-rural-pride-minnesota-commemorates-lgbtq-history/
  9. ↑ Birkey, Andy. "Pine City Pride endures despite rival 'family values' event". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Small-town gay pride picnic prompts protest". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "No pride: Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl calls LGBT citizens "bad apples" for sign use". Bluestem Prairie. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "Pine County wary about community sign". Moose Lake Star Gazette. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "Controversy stems from host of upcoming Pride event". pinecitymn.com. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  14. ↑ "Welcome, Everyone, to Pine City". Daily Yonder. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "Minnesota's Small-Town Gay Pride (Pine City)". Changemakers.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
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