Marshall area residents celebrated Pride with a variety of events over the weekend. On Sunday, people visiting Pride In the Park stopped to check out a variety of vendors and community organization booths, as well as music and family activities.

MARSHALL — It was a weekend of fun – but Marshall Pride was about a lot more than that, area residents said. It was also about acceptance, and having a welcoming place for LGBTQ people and allies.

“That’s what’s so fun about being here today, is that everybody is in their own comfort zone and we’re having a really, really good time,” said Sue Morton, who was named this year’s Pride grand marshal.

Area residents celebrated Pride with a variety of events in Marshall this weekend, from a drag show to a graduation party, and family-friendly activities in Independence Park. On Sunday afternoon, people gathered to check out the vendors, food and music in the park.

Thomas Flynn, a member of the Marshall Pride planning committee, said the events had grown to include more vendors and performers this year.

“It has grown every single year,” Flynn said. “I think it’s a sign of what the community needs.” There weren’t many other Pride celebrations in southwest Minnesota communities, Flynn said, and organizers wanted to help create a welcoming space for LGBTQ people and allies.

“We are just one part of a larger movement of trying to increase the acceptance that so many people have, and acceptance for so many people in our community,” Marshall Pride planning committee member Julie Walker said Sunday.

Flynn said it was exciting to see the cross-section of area community members attending Pride events this year.

Seth Goodspeed, director of development and communications with OutFront Minnesota, said it was important to have visibility for LGBTQ people across Minnesota. Community Pride events like the ones in Marshall play a role in that, he said.

“This is not just an urban, Minneapolis-St. Paul issue,” Goodspeed said. “The LGBTQ community is everywhere, and it’s so important to have the visibility, to have allies show up, and really being able to see people living their full authentic selves everywhere they are.”

It was also important to have welcoming spaces for people from neighboring states as well, he said.

In remarks to the crowd, Goodspeed said the Minnesota legislature had taken some good actions to support LGTBQ people this year.

“This year in particular we’re really proud of both the trans refuge bill that got passed in April,” Goodspeed said. “As so many states around the country and our neighbors to the west and south passed bills banning gender-affirming care, this was a bill that was really important to pass to make sure that everybody coming to Minnesota knows they belong here.”

Sunday’s celebrations also recognized grassroots efforts to support LGTBQ people. Part of the Pride in the Park program recognized Morton as grand marshal, as well as last year’s grand marshals Jan Knieff and Cathy Hare.

Morton and Knieff said LGBTQ people and allies in the Marshall area have been able to grow their community by supporting each other.

“There’s been grassroots in this community for many, many years,” Knieff said. “This is just amazing, to see the growth that comes from just one or two people starting to talk together, sit down at a table together, and say ‘What is it that we can do?'”

“Continue with that good support. Be there for each other,” Morton told the crowd. “We’ll be there for you. We’ll make a difference. We’ll make this a safe and inclusive community for everybody.”

“That’s the main message I want to say. Keep up the good work, because it does pay off,” Knieff said.