VIDEO: Reno Celebrates LGBTQ Pride With Parade And Festival

By Ty O’Neil & Dana Nollsch

Once again the LGBTQA community in Northern Nevada came together to celebrate diversity. Produced and supported by Build Our Center, this year’s event was the (edit: one of the) biggest Pride Day celebrations in Northern Nevada’s History.

Parade

The Reno Pride parade featured a multitude of businesses, charities and political organizations. Despite the sweltering heat, spirits were high for both those watching and those walking. While political groups ranged from Trump supporters, gun restriction advocates and Planed Parenthood there were no conflicts.

Proponents of more restrictive gun laws marched with hand made signs and asked people to vote “Yes on one!”

Some organizations in the pride parade also participated in the recent #BlackLivesMatter rallies.

While politics played a role in the parade most groups focused on LGBTQ pride and handed out flags and other celebratory items.

Marchers from Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Reno’s 2016 Pride Parade.

The pro Trump group received some heckling from those watching the parade, some could be heard yelling “Trump’s a chump”. The conservative marchers simply replied “Happy pride day.”

Festival

The festival had a much less political atmosphere then that of the parade, other than the constant questioning by clipboard-ready volunteers of “are you registered to vote?” Due to the heat, any source of shade became valuable real estate; however, the mood of the festival was jovial. Watch a video below.

Mayor Hillary Schieve with and LGBTQ activist read out her proclamation recognizing the event.

Live performances ranged from traditional Hawaiian dance to comic performances by drag-queens. The youth of the audience was invited up on stage for this musical number.