Twin Cities celebrate 50 years of Pride

Minnesota is celebrating 50 years of pride and progress in the LGBTQ+ community and it started Sunday morning with a downtown Minneapolis parade.

Hennepin Avenue transformed into pride central on Sunday afternoon.

The Twin Cities Pride parade kicked off on 7th and Hennepin Avenue and ended at Loring Park.

Rainbow flags fluttered down the street as cheers erupted from the crowd bursting with pride.

“We need equal rights for everybody and just so people can be who they are born to be,” Allie Brown, Twin Cities Pride parade attendee, said. “As a gay woman, it means a lot to me.”

Thousands draped in pride colors stood in solidarity with the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

“I love this. It’s probably the most healing spot I’ve been in quite a while,” Mari Lou Bucciano, Twin Cities Pride parade attendee, said.

After decades of LGBTQ+ activism, concerns about losing freedoms came to the surface.

“The way the country is going there’s too much hatred out there and we need to all come together and be tolerant and accepting for everyone,” Lou Bucciano said.

Parade-goers explained this year pride takes on a new meaning.

Scott Gorman is sporting a shirt offering free dad hugs to anyone who needs them.

“There’s far too many people that have been refused and been shut off by their parent and that’s horribly sad to me,” Gorman said. “Everybody deserves love.”

Gorman said during trying times, one hug can go a long way.

“It feels good to know there’s so many people out here that have each other’s backs during this time,” Brown said.