LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since 2001, the Kentuckiana Pride Festival has taken place in Louisville and shortly after in 2004,the Kentuckiana Pride Parade began. This weekend both the parade and festival were back in Louisville and organizers saw one of their biggest turn outs yet.
Supporters and allies of the LGBTQ community like Donna Mulkins come together for the annual Kentucky Pride Festival.
“I actually had a really accepting community, I came out, and I was accepted and I want everybody else to feel that way to have that sort of support,” Mulkins said.
Since 2015, Mulkins has been walking with her workplace, Brown- Forman in the Pride Parade. This year’s parade is a little different, as organizers saw their biggest crowd yet with nearly 10,000 people walking just in the parade.
“Oh my gosh, it feels incredible,” Mulkins said. “Everyone has just come together, and it’s amazing to see all this energy.”
Speaking of energy, Mulkins makes sure she brings her most authentic self every year.
“I’m unapologetic about who I am and it’s okay to be yourself and it’s okay to be just who you are and know that there are people out there that accept you just as you are,” Mulkins said.
Something she hopes to inspire in others.
“It means having the freedom to be who I am, no hiding, no apologies, just accepting who I am and knowing that those people around me at work, at home, all around accept me for who I am,” Mulkins said.
Louisville City FC also hosted a Pride Night at Lynn Family Stadium Saturday in honor of Pride Month.