Iowa City celebrates LGBTQ+ community during pride festival

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – No matter how oppressive the heat on Saturday, people like Kelsi Mann were determined not to miss Iowa City’s pride festival.

“There’s always someone in your corner. There are places you can go. They have resources for everyone and they make it loud and proud that they’re here and that they’re for us,” Mann said.

This is Mann’s third year celebrating Pride in Iowa City. Mann said the LGBTQ+ community can sometimes feel small, but the pride festival is a strong reminder nobody’s alone.

An especially powerful message to people who aren’t yet confident in showing their pride.

“You know I spent a long time in the closet before I was fully ready to come out. Now I’m out and I know the people who love me love me so much.”>

Mann isn’t alone.

Taygan Shilhanek said diversity is something to be proud of and the community’s acceptance can act as a sanctuary.

“Like coming out to friends and close family can be very difficult but it’s knowing that no matter what happens, you have someone. You’re not alone,” Shilhanek said.

Even as a state law removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights act is about to go into effect, all you’d see at the parade is an abundance of positive messages.

“Coming together as a community like this is a way for us not only to cope but to show that no matter what you do we will persist. We will still be here. You can’t erase our existence,” said Cori Jobman

Mann said they’re used to hostility as a response to self expression, and events like the pride festival are critical for the LGBTQ+ community.

“There’s people here who love you still. And it saves lives.”

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