June 4, 2007

By Kristen M. Daum

kdaum@forumcomm.com

Downtown Fargo had a revolution Sunday.

Nearly 200 residents of all ages, decked out in colors spanning the rainbow’s spectrum, marched down Broadway and into Island Park to celebrate being themselves – without fear of judgment or retribution.

The parade marked the culmination of Pride Week 2007, an event sponsored by the Fargo-Moorhead Pride Collective and Community Center.

This was the fourth year Pride Week has included a parade and the seventh year the week has been recognized in Fargo-Moorhead.

“ ‘Normal’ is just a setting on a washing machine,” said Dee, a transgender male from the TriStateTG, as she waived her rainbow boa around her shoulders. “I’m proud to be a part of this family.”

This year’s theme, “Revolution in Our Own Backyard,” stressed the need for the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender (LBGT) community to unify for equality in American society.

“What I want to see is no more inequities for us,” Moorhead City Councilmember Greg Lemke said to an uproar of cheers and applause from the crowd. “I’m tired of being a second-class citizen in my own community.”

For some, the word “revolution” seemed harsh but justified because of the struggle the LBGT community faces in legalizing same-sex marriage and receiving domestic-partner benefits.

“I don’t like to think of this as a war – but it is,” Kelly Coxsyn of Fargo told the crowd. “I believe we can win this revolution, and I believe we have the power to do it. Just keep that little bottle of Pride with you all year.”

Residents from outside the LBGT community, such as Fargo resident Kristin Helgeson, also came to watch the parade and show their support.

“A lot of people in Fargo support the things that make us Fargo – like family and connectedness,” Helgeson said. “Whether you’re straight, gay, bi – it’s just about trying to bring those qualities into the whole community.”

Coxsyn, Lemke and others who spoke after the parade emphasized that people in the LBGT community must act in order to receive the equal rights they want and make their voice heard by politicians.

“We are their constituents –they need to hear from us,” Lemke said. “For too long we’ve been asking for a seat at the table. Now it’s time we grab a chair and sit down at that table and say, ‘We’re going to be part of this discussion.’ ”

Readers can reach Forum reporter Kristen Daum at (701) 235-7311.

© Kristen M. Daum, 2008-2009. All published content and associated logos copyright of respective publications.