Pride Pages Directory 2022

Click here to view the Pride Pages Directory.

In the face of adversity, how a person—or a community, a nation, a civilization—reacts is a testament to their character. 2021 presented us with a range of challenges, and, in large part, we met them with tenacity and grit. Over the past year, the pandemic ebbed and flowed. Words like “mutation” and “variant” entered the collective lexicon and became household. Hope and fear swept the planet, by turn. But we continue to endure, and I am confident that we will continue to overcome.

We have begun to reemerge. Places of business have reopened with great success, and it has been an inspiration. Here at Lavender, our beloved First Thursdays have returned with wonderful turnouts. It’s been such an honor and a pleasure to reunite with you, our cherished readers. To say we’ve missed you would be an understatement.

Our annual Pride Pages Issue is not only a directory of fantastic LGBTQ+ businesses throughout the Twin Cities and beyond; it is a celebration of unity and inclusion, of compassion and endurance—especially during this time. 

Speaking of celebrations, 2022 marks the 50th Anniversary of Twin Cities Pride. What began as an intimate gathering of like-minded folks has evolved into a statewide celebration, with more and more small-town Pride festivals being held in places like Pine City, Fergus Falls and International Falls every year. The ubiquity of Pride in smaller areas truly marks the proliferation of tolerance, humanity and change.            

Here’s to this wonderful compendium of local LGBTQ+ businesses, hand-selected for your perusal. Here’s to good health, to you, and here’s to our future 

STEPHEN ROCHEFORD
PRESIDENT AND CEO
LAVENDER MEDIA, INC.