Heat is no match for community, love and self-acceptance at Fox Valley Pride Festival
Even the political statements and words of defiance were inflected with joy and perseverance as well as appreciation for the show of support from the city and the community.
Dana Johnson spent the few weeks leading up to the Fox Valley Pride Festival willing away the rain that washed out last year’s event and forced it indoors.
He got his wish … and then some. In fact, the few clouds that drifted over the open expanse of Jones Park on Saturday were welcome. It was heat that threatened to tamp down attendance at this year. Yet heat indexes that topped one hundred degrees proved to be no discouragement for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies as several thousand folks turned out to listen to music, speeches and poetry and to celebrate diversity and tolerance.
“I couldn’t be more humbled that over 3,000 people braved the heat to show up and be together, in community, showing their authentic love to inspire others that we have a supportive and loving community,” said Johnson, President of Fox Valley Pride. “It was beautiful energy, memories made that can carry us through times when we feel backlash and targeted, and all-in-all a demonstration that allyship is ever more important.”
It began with a promenade down College Avenue through the Farm Market and concluded with a drag show (there was an after-party at McFleshman’s). In between five area bands composed largely of musicians from the LGBTQ+ community braved a relentless sun and took the stage at Jones Park as a cornhole tournament got underway at the west end of the park beyond the dozens and dozens of vendor tents. More than 130 vendors participated.
The Fox Valley Pride Festival realized its fullest potential to date on Saturday as early organizers from five years back reminisced about how it all started.
“Five years ago, we had a small protest downtown over an electric sign (with a homophobic message),” said Sommer Johnson-Loar of Fox Valley Pride. “And we looked at each other and we said, ‘Why don't we have a pride festival?’ So there were about 30 or 40 people just sitting on the ground making bracelets in a torrential downpour, and that was our first pride here at Jones Park. We shared stories, we shared our testimonies, we came out to each other, we listened to each other, and that was the most community I think I've ever seen in my life.
“And now look at where we are today. Just look around you. This is amazing.”
Politics unavoidable this year
Though the Pride Festival has never been overtly political, folks, including the musicians, were much less inclined to hold back this year given the threats against the LGBTQ+ community from the current administration. Mostly, though, even the political statements and words of defiance were inflected with joy and perseverance as well as appreciation for the show of support from the city and the community.
“I think anytime we have the ability to celebrate and bring up the joy and resilience of our community, the better,” said State Representative Lee Snodgrass. “Because especially now in Wisconsin and everywhere else, the LGBTQ+ community – especially our transgender friends – are under attack. So it's a great opportunity for us to celebrate with people who care about us.”
State Senator Kris Dassler-Alfheim, who presented a commendation to Fox Valley Pride for its efforts, said that hate comes from a sense of fear and that fear comes from not understanding.
“So show up,” she said. “Come on down. Learn to understand. And I'll bet you that fear disappears. You know, there's not a single person in this place that's scary. Just warm, lovely, joyous people.”
Among the set of speakers after local songwriter Michael Grabner performed the opening set of the day, were Megan Picket, the chair of the physics department at Lawrence University. Pickett said being trans was not the most interesting thing about her, but that it was worth celebrating. She said that no one will remember the “thugs and the fascists and the zealots” trying to erase the trans community from history.
“Everyone remembers Rosa,” she added, referring to Rosa Parks, who defied Jim Crow laws in Alabama and refused to surrender her bus seat. “No one remembers the bus driver that held her back. I know the world is on fire, believe me. I know the forces arrayed against us are great and daunting, but I know this too. We own the future of the world.”
Local poet Ria Di Peeples delivered a fiery poem, one she said she started a decade ago and finished that morning, “thinking about the resurgence of queer joy and rebellion that keeps saving me and that will define our communities forever.”
Mel Davis of Rainbow Alliance Advocacy noted that sometimes people in the LQBTQ+ community must hide to survive but that other times they shine and they thrive.
“I ask myself, how do we stand tall in the face of oppression, especially when that oppression might come from those closest to us, from our family, from our friends, sometimes even from within ourselves,” Davis said. “And then I remember, queer love is unconditional. Queer joy is unshakable. Queer Youth are unyielding and queerness is unfading.”
The Traveling Suitcase, Kat and the Hurricane, Venus DeMars and Rai Hudson also performed.
“This year’s Fox Valley Pride festival had three key ingredients,” Johnson said. “Visibility, cultural celebration and authentic love. The first Pride Promenade to walk down College Ave. is a milestone in the history of visibility and support for our LGBTQIA2S+ community and culture, particularly in Appleton. Every performer, speaker, and even the commendation received from Rep. Snodgrass and Sen. Alfheim, had messages of cultural celebration and appreciation for the community.”
