‘Pride is about celebration.’ 20,000 attend Tacoma’s LGBTQ festival after 2-year hiatus
It was if a dam had burst on Pacific Avenue at noon Saturday. That’s when Tacoma Pride, the annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and queer community kicked off.
Within minutes, Pacific Avenue between 9th and 7th streets was swarming with people finally able to celebrate, visible to Tacoma and each other, after two years of shutdowns.
They came in rainbow-colored clothing or wearing a Pride rainbow flag as a cape. There were people dressed in street clothing, others dressed in furry costumes and some dressed for the weather, which got progressively warmer as the day wore on.
Oasis
A steady line of youth queued up to the Oasis Youth Center, Pierce County’s drop-in center for LGBTQ young people, to get free buttons, stickers and information.
“It’s exciting to see everyone come together and outside of a Zoom box,” executive director Matthew Wilson said. “And to celebrate, to see queer artists, see all the organizations where we take care of each other and support each other.”
Going virtual allowed Oasis to reach youth who didn’t have transportation. But it shut out youth who didn’t have access to the internet, Wilson said.
“Pride is about celebration,” Wilson said. “It’s about remembering. It’s about celebrating, but also being unrelenting in demanding civil rights and being visible.”
Safety
Tacoma Police Sgt. Dave May sported a Pride flag from his vest as he kept watch at the corner of 9th Street and Pacific Avenue. He described himself as an ally to the LGBTQ community.
Security was a concern at the event, particularly in the wake of the July 4 mass shooting in Illinois and the apparent but thwarted disruption of a Pride event by a white nationalist group in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on June 11.
Tacoma police blocked vehicle traffic to the streets. Officers stayed mostly on the periphery, though some were keeping watch nearby from unseen locations, according to local businesses.
Drag performances
Drag queens lip synced to Celine Dion and Whitney Houston hits at the main stage on Pacific.
Statuesque Letigre Love managed several costume and wig changes during her show. The Tacoma resident has been performing for over three decades but only returned to public performances in June.
“It feels good,” she said. “I love being on stage.”
Sisters
Walking through the crowd were four Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who identify as queer and trans nuns.
Tacoma’s Sister Glo said reuniting with friends she hasn’t seen since the pandemic began was uplifting.
“It’s a like a family reunion,” she said from behind white make-up, inch-long eyelashes and a purple habit.
Support
Booths were staffed by nonprofits and small businesses. A maker’s market featured house plants to cutting boards.
Erin Burke of University Place set up a photo booth and offered free portraits to anyone who wanted them.
“I have a beautifully queer family,” she said. Two of her children are transgender.
She appreciated the chance to gather, in person, with the LGBTQ community.
“I understand on so many levels why it’s important to have spaces that are safe, that are affirming, that are celebratory and to just to be in community with all of us,” Burke said.
Happy Pride
Elected officials including U.S. reps Derek Kilmer and Marilyn Strickland appeared on stage. Pierce County councilman Ryan Mello, speaker of the Washington House of Representatives Laurie Jinkins and Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards also appeared.
Rainbow Center executive director Troy Christensen estimated 20,000 people attended the event as the day neared completion.
“I don’t know if there’s anything that would have made it better,” he said.
