St. Joe Pridefest brings community together in celebration of love and acceptance
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) --The St. Joe Pridefest took over Civic Center Park this weekend, drawing in crowds of supporters from across the community.
Straight allies and LGBTQ+ community members alike showed up in full force to stand with their friends, family, and peers in a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and love.
This year's event featured an array of vendors, artists, and local businesses filling the park with Pride flags, colorful displays, and family-friendly attractions.
A parade kicked off the festivities, setting the tone for a day focused on unity and acceptance.
Despite summer heat, attendees packed the park, eager to participate in the day's inclusive entertainment, which included a drag show, belly dancers, and other performances celebrating the diversity of the community.
For many who attended, the message was clear, that showing up matters.
Megan Brown, a straight ally, attended the event to support her loved ones.
She emphasized the importance of standing with the LGBTQ+ community.
"I have a lot of good friends and family, and it's important to come out and support them, especially in these kind of turbulent times." Brown said.
Brown also spoke to the significance of events like Pridefest in letting people know they are not alone.
"I think the solidarity is important to just have everybody come out and celebrate the acceptance of the diversity and just show how everyone's included," she said. "And it can be inclusive to everyone."
As a straight ally, Brown acknowledged that her voice carries weight in the broader conversation.
"I think it's all part of one big community, and in order to be inclusive, you have to include everyone," she said. "So you got to speak out for those you care about and everyone else. It's the Christian thing to do."
Caleb Sapp described his journey as an ally as a long and sometimes difficult one.
"I just kind of over my life realized that that was who I was, and it took a long time. I didn't realize until I was an adult," Caleb shared. "Over time, I've come to find that I just happened to like everybody for the most part."
He admitted that he still struggles at times with being himself, which is exactly why events like Pridefest are so important to him.
"Anybody can love anybody. It shouldn't be a problem with anyone else who someone chooses to love," he said. "People should be happy. We're not here for very long, and life is about finding happiness. I think we should just accept that people are going to find that however they choose to, or through whoever they are. Just let people be themselves and be happy, because why hurt anybody else if you don't have to?"
Payton Smith, another straight ally, echoed similar sentiments.
She pointed to the hate and judgment that too often accompany the decision to come out.
"I feel like there's a lot of hate and not enough acceptance, especially the fact that people can't control who they love," Smith said. "That's already such a hard thing for people to come out, and then the amount of pressure and judgment that they get for that."
Smith, who also attended last year's Pridefest, said the event provides a crucial space for people to express themselves freely.
"I think it's a good place for people to be able to be expressive and be themselves, and not have to worry so much about the judgment," she said.
She also highlighted why straight allies play an essential role in the movement.
"I feel like it could be taken more seriously from someone that is straight, because it shows that the support doesn't just have to be people who are LGBT," Smith explained. "People can show love and kindness even if they don't personally understand something. I think that's an important thing for people to be empathetic and accepting."
More St. Joe Pride events can be found on their Facebook page.
