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Plattsburgh’s perfect Pride Parade
BY JAYNE SMITH Photography Editor
Participants cheered, waving rainbow flags and banners, wishing onlookers a happy Pride as Plattsburgh’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Parade came around once again, Saturday, Sept. 30.
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The event, which has taken place in Plattsburgh for the last eight years, was hosted by the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance. Students, SUNY Plattsburgh staff and community members came out to show their pride and allyship.
The parade set off from the parking lot by Redcay Hall, marching down Brinkerhoff, Oak and Cornelia streets until the procession reached City Hall. Upon completing the route, the crowd stood on the steps of City Hall, where they posed for a group photo.
Student Randy Hamlett showed up to watch the parade and attend the festivities afterward.
“It’s nice to have community. Everyone in the parade was so welcoming. When I was walking alongside with a photographer, they kept inviting us to join in,” Hamlett said.
Immediately following the parade, the festivities in Trinity Park began. Local organizations hosted tables around the park — some gave out free pride flags, some offered health information, others taught attendees how to register to vote. SUNY Platts-
Desi Club
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Heather Yang, one of the two interns of Desi Club, then discussed the effects of colonialism and the criminalization of people in the LGBTQIA+ community throughout different time periods.
“Colonialism significantly impacted LGBTQIA+ issues in South Asia. European colonial powers, including the British Empire, introduced conservative Victorian-era laws and norms that criminalized homosexuality and imposed Western gender binary concepts on indigenous cultures. British-era legislation such as Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalized same-sex relationships and had far-reaching consequences throughout the region. These colonial laws and attitudes led to the stigmatization and marginalization of LGBTQIA+ individuals and practices, erasing the historical acceptance of gender diversity and
