Love, equality and inclusion were flowing through the streets of downtown Emporia Saturday to celebrate Pride month.
The first-ever Pride parade progressed on Commercial Street from 7th to 12th in the early evening hours with hundreds both walking and watching the mobile celebration. Emporia Community Action and the Emporia High School Gender and Sexual Alliance group organized the parade and related activities.
Local resident Ashley Davis was in downtown Emporia for the evening taking in the activities with her wife Samantha. Davis says knowing that younger generations are growing up in a more tolerant and accepting world is a heartwarming notion.
After the parade concluded, residents had some time to cool down before heading to the Bourbon Cowboy for a show like no other. The local drinking establishment hosted a special drag show featuring nine different participants.
Among the drag queens participating Saturday was Vaughn Racine of Kansas City who performs under the name Brett Shyanne. Vaughn says he looks at drag queens as the “ambassadors” of the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride is a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community which is recognized on a global scale held every year in the month of June. Organizers tell KVOE News that plans are in motion to make the event a regular addition to Emporia’s community calendar in years to come.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
