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East-Central Minnesota Pride

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Festival information booth

East-Central Minnesota Pride is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents in the rural area near Pine City, Minnesota, United States.[1] At the time of its inception, it was the first rural community in the U.S. to hold a Pride celebration.[2] It was also the first pride gathering held outside of a metropolitan area in Minnesota. The celebration is held during the first weekend in June.

Background

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Audience watching show in bandshell in Robinson Park

East Central Minnesota consists of Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs counties.[3] The 2010 US Census identified Pine City and its surrounding area as one of the highest concentration same-sex coupled households of any non-metropolitan areas in the state.[4]

To recognize the 5th anniversary of the East Central Men's Circle, which provides support to gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning men in the area, a picnic was held in 2005. Hundreds of people turned out for the occasion.[5] This event is recognised as the first East Central Minnesota Pride event.

East-Central Minnesota Pride became an official nonprofit in 2010.[6]

In 2020, the event was canceled to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Other community organizations and groups have since become involved in the planning and running of the event, including East Central Purple Circle, a group of lesbian, queer, and allied women in the region; and East Central Minnesota Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).[4]

History

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The first rural Pride historic marker

In 2026, a historic marker commemorating East-Central Minnesota Pride was installed at Voyageur Park in Pine City.[7][8]

Controversies

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Early Pride events were subject to counter-protests across town in a separate park, and were billed as pro family events.[9] Rural Pine County residents claimed they were offended by a Pride advertisement stating, "It's okay to be GAY in Pine City", featuring a pink boa on the town's iconic monument, François the Voyageur.[10]

In 2014, Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl called Pride organizers "bad apples" at a county board meeting for using a community sign on school property to promote the event.[11] The sign referenced was used by more than 20 community groups and nonprofit organizations until East Central Minnesota Pride, also a nonprofit, wanted space to promote its event; then the school voted to use the sign only for school-related events.[12][3]

In 2022, concerns were expressed that Marraccino[who?] was an inappropriate emcee for the Pride event due to his past experience as a pornographic film actor. The City of Pine City stood by the event and did not withhold any necessary permitting for it to occur.[13]

Awards and nominations

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YearAwardDescriptionNominator(s)Result
2011 Minnesota Community Pride! Showcase Award This award, given at the Minnesota State Fair, highlights the celebration of diversity and culture in the community, particularly with East-Central Minnesota Pride and Pine City’s embracing of its people, as well as its courage and the fact that it is a welcoming community.[14] City of Pine City Won[15]

Notable performers

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References

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  1. ↑ "East Central Minnesota Pride organizer talks LGBTQ community in Pine City". MPR News. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  2. ↑ "Small-Town Gay Pride Picnic Prompts Protest". WCCO-TV. 2007-06-02. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  3. 1 2 "How Minnesota's First Small-Town LGBTQ Pride Survived and Thrived". www.advocate.com. 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  4. 1 2 "Rural Communities Join Together to Celebrate Pride". The Daily Yonder. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Nathan (2011-08-29). "Welcome, Everyone, to Pine City". The Daily Yonder. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  6. ↑ "East Central Minnesota Pride". East Central Minnesota Pride. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  7. ↑ https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/minnesota-rural-pride-marker
  8. ↑ https://outfrontmagazine.com/a-landmark-for-rural-pride-minnesota-commemorates-lgbtq-history/
  9. ↑ Birkey, Andy. "Pine City Pride endures despite rival 'family values' event". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Small-town gay pride picnic prompts protest". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "No pride: Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl calls LGBT citizens "bad apples" for sign use". Bluestem Prairie. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "Pine County wary about community sign". Moose Lake Star Gazette. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "Controversy stems from host of upcoming Pride event". pinecitymn.com. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  14. ↑ "Welcome, Everyone, to Pine City". Daily Yonder. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "Minnesota's Small-Town Gay Pride (Pine City)". Changemakers.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
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45°49′38″N 92°58′9″W / 45.82722°N 92.96917°W / 45.82722; -92.96917

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