LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Pride Foundation hosted the second annual Pride 5k Sunday morning. Hundreds of runners gathered to show their pride.

What You Need To Know

  • 600 runners traveled through Irquois Park Sunday morning

  •  June is Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community across the country

  •  The race raised funds for Louisville Pride Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ support in the community

Jocelyn Duke, one of the race participants, is proud of who she is.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever be able to do something like this, so every chance I get I show up,” said Duke. On Sunday, she took part in the second annual Louisville Pride 5k.

“I knew I was gay when I was 10. I probably didn’t come out to my parents til’ I was going off to college. It was a dark heavy secret I carried for a long time and now that I get to be out and do something like this and be around people who are loving and supportive, I’m extremely grateful,” Duke said. 

600 runners traveled through Iroquois Park Sunday morning. They passed cheer sections along the way.

“It’s important for everybody in the Louisville community to be able to participate in these things and show our love for people. We are all one, we are all one human race,” said cheer captain Stephanie Boyd.

The colorful event celebrated community and love. 

“It’s a great chance for allies and the LGBTQ community to come together during pride month and get a little exercise in and show our support and show our pride,” said race director Michael Clemons. 

The sold out 5k raised funds for the Louisville Pride Foundation, an organization dedicated to making Louisville a safe and affirming community where everyone can be their true self. 

“Everybody can just come together, feel accepted for who they are and not need to change anything about themselves,” said Clay Schrenger from the Louisville Pride Foundation. 

Pride is not limited to members of the LGBTQ+ community. It will take everyone to make a difference, Duke says.

“Speak up. You know, speak out and speak up. When you’re around people who are spewing hate, smash that. That’s the biggest thing. My mother always says it’s the fear of the unknown. There’s no way on God’s green earth that you could hate someone that you don’t spend time,” said Duke. 

Pride month will continue for all of June, but its values of love and acceptance of everyone can be practiced year round. 

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