LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The annual Kentuckiana Pride Parade was Saturday.

Thousands came out to show love and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentuckiana Pride Parade was Saturday  

  •  The parade is part of the Kentuckiana Pride Festival

  •  Thousands came to celebrate Pride on Saturday

  • The Fairness campaign used 7,500 balloons to create their "float"

Helping to boost visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in Kentucky, Carmen Marshall marched Saturday, showing and celebrating Pride Month.

“This means being seen, being recognized by our community, being celebrated, being welcomed with open arms,” Marshall said. “It’s a day where all of us, anybody living any experience, can just get together and just be and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Marshall marched with the Fairness Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization working toward comprehensive civil rights. And after planning all year, she’s showing off the work that’s been done in this year’s parade.

“So it’s been a 365 day planning experience. There are approximately 7,500 balloons that were blown up today,” said Marshall.

She is one of 100 supporters wearing a backpack made entirely out of balloons ranging in colors of pink, blue and white. The campaign has blown up balloons all week to deck their supporters in colors of the transgender flag.

“Hundred folks marching in our human balloon float for trans rights today,” Executive Director of the Fairness Campaign Chris Hartman said. “Pride is still a protest, for which is why you’ll hear the fairness campaign chanting all along the parade route for trans rights, making sure folks know that this fight has only just begun.”

Thousands of citizens lined the streets to show their support and to get a glimpse of the colorful parade, but for many, it represents much more than that.

“Today means that everybody here gets to be who they are free and gets to love whoever they want,” said parade attendee Laynie Moss. 

Marshall wants others to know that Pride is more than a celebration; it’s to show that no one is alone. 

“If you’re at home and you’re struggling by yourself, reach out to somebody,” Marshall said. “We have a slew of community that are ready and willing to offer support and assistance.”

She hopes after Saturday, more people will get involved and learn about the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride Month continues for the rest of June, but support and love are available all year round. For more information, click here.

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