{"id":225110,"date":"2024-05-16T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T15:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lavendermagazine.com\/?p=225110"},"modified":"2024-05-03T11:29:54","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T16:29:54","slug":"east-central-minnesota-pride-hosting-community-pride-since-2005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lavendermagazine.com\/featured-home-page\/east-central-minnesota-pride-hosting-community-pride-since-2005\/","title":{"rendered":"East Central Minnesota Pride: Hosting Community Pride Since 2005"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
With a city population of around 3,100, the woodsy getaway, originally founded in 1881 as a railway town, has blossomed into a logging community and oasis for water lovers and nature enthusiasts. Pine City may be a small town, but the vibrant community is to owe for the birthplace of rural-prides alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The year was 2005 when the East Central Men\u2019s Circle gathered for what we now know as the first rural pride. What started as around 70 gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning men coming together for a pride pot-luck style event, was eventually joined by the Purple Circle<\/a>, the regional PFLAG<\/a> chapter and other groups to vitalize and deepen the advocacy efforts and community within the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year, attendance was around 800 people, with a projected attendance of nearly 1,000 for this year’s pride, according to East Central Minnesota Pride Chairperson, Aaron Bombard. This year’s pride will take place Saturday, June 1st from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. at Robinson Park, 200 5th St. SE, Pine City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s always kind of scary, leaving the suburbs as a gay person,\u201d Bombard said. \u201cBut, Pine City is overwhelmingly welcoming, and I think that so much of that has to do with what originally started in 2005.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s pride will work to accommodate the large number of younger individuals that come to ECM Pride, Bombard said. This year, the bands Rebel Queens, Salty Dog, and The Minors are booked to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A request was also submitted for Governor Tim Walz to formally speak at East Central Minnesota Pride, as last year a state representative was sent from his office to speak, according to Bombard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n