2020 Virtual Pride Guide

FRIDAY,

SUNDAY,

H E L L 0 !

On behalf of the FM Pride Planning committee, we extend a Hello & Happy Pride from our homes! There are no words that can fully reconcile all that has happened this year. Pride is not immune to what has been going on. This is our “20 in 2020 Anniversary” of Pride events in Fargo-Moorhead and for the first time we are going virtual! Like many of you I have used some of my time for reflection and one key thought rises to the front: Chosen Family.

For all who identify with, and are allies to the LGBTQ+ community, we understand the importance, and necessity of chosen family. For many the first steps to finding our chosen family is to get involved with Pride. Through volunteering, sponsoring, and participating in any of the events; we establish or expand this support system. If challenged, we will defend our family tirelessly.

Looking back at the last twenty years, we can be grateful to those who have stood up for us and with us as part of our family. We are grateful to those who organized in back yards, the I-Beam, Jerry’s, or other local haunts as acts of support, and rebellion. We are grateful to those who dared walk up Broadway establishing our first Pride Parade. We are grateful to the Twins Cities Gay Men’s Chorus for supporting and preforming with our own Fargo Moorhead Gay Men’s Chorus when it was first founded. We are grateful to parents and allies who have guided & protected our youth leading with a calm head as events were protested. In fact, there have been too many examples of our family in action to list them all here. To say we are grateful to the all our partnerships with sponsors, vendors, volunteers, & participants who rise to the occasion every year to make Pride possible is a gross understatement!

In the past twenty years we have seen this chosen family, our chosen family; grow exponentially. Through, passion, determination, collaboration and collective work we have furthered rights and privileges otherwise denied us. Yet, our family continues to face battles with oppression and discrimination. The track record of the current administration, and the most recent articles of our own state’s GOP platform are overt examples of this. These are challenges facing our Indigenous, Black, Latino, newly Immigrated brothers and sisters as well. The difference maker for us is – Family!

As a family we take care of those struggling and sick during a pandemic. Our family picks up our brothers and sisters knocked down while protesting oppression and walks beside them. Our family searches for our missing and murdered to bring them home. Our family advocates for dignity for all to love equally, be respected equally, and have the same rights. Now is the time for Our Family to come together once again and prepare for November. With all we have seen and walked through in the last twenty years, our greatest strength : Don’t mess with family.

Thank you for choosing us these last twenty years. We appreciate all of you and look forward to celebrating Virtual Pride with you this week!

Christina Lindseth FM Pride Planning Committee Chair

THE EARLY DAYS OF

BY: GREG LEMKE

When the FM PRIDE events first began 20 years ago the landscape for people in the LGBTQ community in Fargo Moorhead was not one that was welcoming and/or very safe. Trying to get people to commit to taking part in the parade and tabling in the parks was not something many people, organizations and/or businesses they were very eager to be involved with. The environment was one where there was a level of support, but it was surface level support, there were those who would offer support but not publicly. Finding space to have events in the early days of PRIDE was even challenging at times. The PRIDE parade and the events in the park that are now commonplace in Fargo Moorhead weren’t even dreamt of during the first year’s events. PRIDE events early on were moved around to different parks, Lindenwood, Gooseberry for example and I recall park events were there maybe a half-dozen tables and the number of visitors was very limited.

The fact that these were some of the first events in this area where GLBTQ people and allies would be publicly making a statement by just attending and/or marching was very scary for several people. During these first events there were people who would show up and protest and/or speak out against the GLBTQ community so there was a level of fear if you will, that someone could get hurt and/or that people would be outed so it is understandable why these first events were small in number. The importance of these events in helping to create a more supportive environment and allow for people to be more vocal in their support of the GLTBQ community is hard to quantify. These events eventually helped to create an overall better/safer environment in our area, people flourished and were stepping out of the closet and wanting to be heard and to be included, PRIDE events were a catalyst for these things to happen.

How these events are planned and executed has changed over the years also while the board of the PRIDE Collective was more involved in the beginning, the PRIDE events really have taken on a life of their own where it has taken more people putting in more time to create the events we celebrate. As someone who has been involved in the beginning including serving on the Pride Collective Board in the beginning, I have seen nothing but positive change in how these events have taken place. Seeing the number of people who now attend is very gratifying and gives one a sense of hope for our futures.

The PRIDE events have been responsible for several changes in our community, creating an environment where we have had openly gay men serve in elected office, businesses not afraid and/or intimidated to express their support for the GLTBQ community. Much of the positive changes in our community are directly, in some cases indirectly, responsible for the more welcoming and inclusive environment in our area that many people now take for granted. Without the events that began in our community 20 years ago we as a community would not be where we are at now as far as a more welcoming environment.

If not for the people who started these events and had the courage to be out and be public about their support for the GLTBQ community things would look much different in our community. To have seen the events in the beginning with 6 tables at the park and times throughout the day when there was actually nobody visiting and to see today all of the different organizations involved is very uplifting and is something that all GLBTQ people and allies in our community should be aware of and have a sense of pride how far we have come.

It is so important to know our history as GLTBQ people in the community, sometimes it is easy to just look at our environment now and not think about how we got here, thinking it was always this way. Remembering our history is of vital importance, recognizing the pioneers who started these events is also something that we should never forget about.

Greg Lemke has been involved as an activist with the local GLBTQ community for over 25 years. Greg has served twice on the Pride Collective Board, being part of the initial Board and then again in 2016/17 (I am not sure on the exact dates). Greg has been involved in FM PRIDE activities since the inception of the events, writing columns for the local publications, speaking at events, writing the welcome letter while serving on the Moorhead City Council, marching in the parades and staffing booths for different organizations. Greg was also instrumental in the Fargo Police Department creating a GLBTQ liaison position back in 2004.

A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST 20 YEARS

When most think of FM PRIDE, they see the community supported and celebrated gathering held every August. What we don’t always remember are those who represent the best of us and have been acknowledged as Grand Marshall’s.

Additionally, we have not acknowledged those who have built FM Pride into what is is today. Over the last 20 years, the following volunteers have graciously given their time, talents and energy to help build our

someone you know can help us fill in the gaps in our timeline, please share that info with us via email at marketing@fmpride.com or message us on Facebook!

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

BRANDON ELVERUD

CAITLIN CONCI

CHELSEA DIEDRICH

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

ELIZABETH KINZER

HEATHER SILBERNAGEL

IRIS HUSS

JENN MCCORMACK

JOSH BOSCHEE

JULIE SILLERS

KATRINA KOESTERMAN

KYLE MATTHEWS

LAURA ZEIHER

RACHEL GEINERT

SHERI KASEMAN

TAMMY LAGNHAN

TY WACHA

GRAND MARSHAL

JOHNNY OLSON REBEL MARIE

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ADAM JOHNSON

ANDREW LAKE

BRANDON ELVERUD

BRANDON WENTE

CHRIS DAVIN

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

ELIZABETH KINZER

EMILY STENGRIM

HEATHER SILBERNAGEL

JOSH BOSCHEE

KATIE CHRISTENSEN

LAURA ZEIHER

LINDSEY WARNER

NIK LOGROSSO

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ADAM JOHNSON

BRANDON ELVERUD

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

ELIZABETH KINZER

HEATHER SILBERNAGEL

IRIS HUSS

JENN MCCORMACK

JOSH BOSCHEE

JULIE SILLERS

JUSTINE EVANSON

KATIE CHRISTENSEN

KYLE MATTHEWS

LAURA ZEIHER

NIK LOGROSSO

REBEL MARIE

SHERI KASEMAN

GRAND MARSHAL

MARA WESSEL KELLY COXSYN

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ADAM JOHNSON

BRANDON WENTE

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

ELIZABETH KINZER

EMILY STENGRIM

JOSH BOSCHEE

KATIE CHRISTENSEN

KRISTINE HOLM

LINDSEY WARNER

MARK BORCHERT

NICOLE HOLDEN

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

JOSH BOSCHEE

2013

GRAND MARSHALS

REP. PAUL MARQUART

SEN. KENT EKEN

REP. BEN LIEN

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ANDREW LAKE

LINDSEY WARNER

NICOLE HOLDEN

KRISTINE HOLM

CORY SYVERSON

ANGIE MANN KRAUSE

2014

GRAND MARSHAL

DEE DUSHANE

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ANDREW LAKE

LINDSEY WARNER

NICOLE HOLDEN

KRISTINE HOLM

ELIZABETH KINZER

CORY SYVERSON

EMILY STENGRIM

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

JOSH BOSCHEE

MARA MORKEN

AMANDA LOGGAN

JOSH BOSCHEE

AMANDA LOGGAN

2015

GRAND MARSHALS

SAME SEX- COUPLES

INCLUDED IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT ALLOWED MARRIAGE EQUALITY

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ANDREW LAKE

LINDSEY WARNER

NICOLE HOLDEN

KRISTINE HOLM

ELIZABETH KINZER

BRANDON WENTE

KATIE CHRISTENSEN

EMILY STENGRIM

MICHAEL LARSON

CHRISTINA LINDSETH

JOSH BOSCHEE

ALEXANDRA FARREN

MARA MORKEN

AMANDA LOGGAN

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

GRAND MARSHALS

SEN. TOM FIEBIGER

REP. KATHY HAWKEN

PLANNING COMMITTEE

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

LARRY PETERSON

FIRST PRIDE PARADE HELD

GRAND MARSHAL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

BOB UEBEL

BRIAN HAZARD

JAKE ARTHER

KRISTIE HOISTAD

MIKE CANTU

STACIE LOEGERING

GRAND MARSHALS

MARK CHEKOLA LENNY TWEEDEN

PLANNING COMMITTEE

BRIAN HAZARD

KRISTIE HOISTAD

MICHAEL BROWN

NATHAN KLINKHAMMER

ROBERT UEBEL

STACIE LOEGERING

SUSIE NYBERG

GRAND MARSHALS

GLEN ANDERSON

AUDREY ANDERSON

PLANNING COMMITTEE

KRISTIE HOISTAD STACIE LOEGERING

GRAND MARSHAL

CARLA GUSTAFSON

PLANNING COMMITTEE

2003

PLANNING COMMITTEE

BOB UEBEL

BRENDA ROOB

CARA TAYLOR

CHARLES KOESTERMAN

KRISTIE HOISTAD

MICHELLE TJERNAGEL

STACIE LOEGERING

TAMIE JOHNSON

TREVOR COOK WILL RITTER

2002

PLANNING COMMITTEE

BOB UEBEL

CHRISTINE SMITH

CHARLES KOESTERMAN

KRISTI JOISTAD

TREVOR COOK

KATE BRINGE

KIERA HULET

2001

PLANNING COMMITTEE

2000

PLANNING COMMITTEE

ON OUR ANNIVERSARY

BY: D “DEE DEE” DUSHANE

Twenty years ago! Twenty! That’s two decades into the past. Computers did not blow up when we rolled into the year 2000. Babies born then are now adults among us. Lots of really good things occurred since then too. Some say number one was when we achieved marriage equity and a growing acceptance from the general public. But I personally think the start of Pride, as a community event, begun taking place on an annual basis, was the single greatest happening. Each year since the millennial change seems to have grown a larger gathering of participants and a growing list of activities and events.

Tents, tables and tasty treats in the park; a parade through downtown Fargo that ultimately grew into a parade from Moorhead to Fargo; drag shows, marathons, hot dogs, bowling, tacos in a bag, parties, parties, parties. They all became staples in what we now identify as FM Pride Celebration week. What is your greatest memory from a previous event and what event was that?

Long before settling into the current Saturday Pride in the Park at Island Park, we explored options at many of the local FM area parks. Each park sampled offered a plethora of good, and some not so good, highlights. In 2020 after 20 years of park testing, Island Park just feels like home to us. The number of vendors participating annually continues to draw significantly more folks to their activities. Each year we’ve managed to gain a greater audience that realize we are their neighbors.

Beside Island Park, Lindenwood Park, Gooseberry Park, WH Davy Park, and Rheault Farms were there any other parks you can remember where we held Saturday Pride in the past twenty years?

As the community grew, the community grew. No , that’s not some kind of Zen koan, it’s more of an acknowledgment that as greater acceptance

occurred with the exposure of one community then quite naturally this led to the greater exposure of another community within the former. In those early days it was so important just to maintain visibility - to be seen by many resident of the surrounding area. In an overheard conversation of two random people watching one of the first Sunday parades I overheard one person say to another , “Gee, I didn’t know we had a Transgender organization.” “Yes, Fargo is growing,” responded the other. To which a companion responded, “Oh yes, Fargo is growing.”

In those days it was so important for many of us just to have the communal contact with our brothers and sisters. The activities and events fostered a much needed chance to reaffirm old friendships and to establish new ones. Our family of choice contacts were once again rejuvenated for another year. We were able to enjoy fellowship with each other.

There won’t be a gathering for Pride in the Park 2020, even though this is the 20th anniversary of such gatherings; No Sunday parade either and because of this, I am deeply saddened, the memories and photographs of previous years will have to sustain me. During the week that would have been – on August 15th this year – let us all post a single picture from one of the previous 20 years that reminds us of the euphoric feelings of years gone by.

And by all means, do not neglect voting in November! It is so important this year for so many reasons. Prime among them is our ability to stop the constant erosion of our civil rights.

THE IMPORTANCE OF

BY: CAITLIN CONCI

Hello, my name is Caitlin, I had the privilege of being part of the Fargo-Moorhead community for just about four years, and just recently relocated. FM is a place I hold close to my heart and gave me many treasured memories. It provided me a sense of belonging and community, especially the FM Pride community. I had the honor of serving on the FM Pride committee in 2019, and now for 2020 they’ve asked me to reflect on what I see as the significance of FM Pride.

For me, Pride events are about celebrating inclusivity, hard work, and equal rights. For one week of the year, the LGBTQ+ community comes together to celebrate each other and celebrate love. The FM Pride events are completely locally sponsored, which provides an opportunity to connect jointly with local LGBTQ+ community members and allies on a different level. We all work together to make the week happen. It is beautiful and my favorite week in Fargo! Last year’s Pride was extra special, and a milestone all around the country as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprisings. It was a special year to be a part of and watch as FM Pride hit their highest attendance and participation in nearly every event we sponsored.

Pride is a reminder that we must celebrate and support each other. It is equal parts recognizing that the community has overcome battles, while still maintaining awareness that we can always do better. North Dakotan policies are outdated. Still, in 2020, ND GOP passed a resolution stating that “LGBT practices are unhealthy and dangerous, sometimes endangering or shortening life, and sometimes infecting society at large.”Still in the year 2020, North Dakota government protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are non-existent in what should be basic human rights, in areas such as access to housing.

LGBTQ+ people of color (POC) experience multiple minority stressors, and experience greater levels of discrimination and health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidality (National Institude of Mental Health). Considering the ruralness of Fargo-Moorhead, it is not a far leap to believe these issues are even further compounded with a lack of understanding and awareness.

FM Pride is a time for grand celebration and freedom of expression. Because of the central location and unique timing of FM Pride we receive participants from all surrounding states, cities, and towns. Let’s leverage this opportunity to come together and honor past and present successes for our community, while recognizing the need to continue empowering underrepresented and silenced voices. FM Pride means being able to live authentically while being proud of our community. Let us all use this year’s Pride celebration as a call to action and ensure space, authenticity, education, and love are accessible to all humans.

Virtual

in e

One of the many highlights of Pride every year is Pride in the Park and walking around Island Park, surrounded by our community. Everyone dressed in their favorite Pride gear, sidewalks crammed with people, the air thick with laughter, as we interact with the businesses, individuals, and organizations who are proud to support the local LGBTQ+ community.

With so much of that experience inaccessible this year, we at FM Pride felt that it was important to stay connected. As part of that effort, we created this ‘Virtual’ Pride in the Park; a kind of digital directory where you can browse through those same businesses and organizations who have historically been present at the park.

We invite you to page through and connect with our vendors, and we encourage you to support them in this difficult economic time as they have supported us in the past.

sales@cuttingedgepride.com info@drcinfo.com

ehpcoachlucas@gmail.com

info@enchantasys.com

merete.christianson@ndsu.edu christopher@raan.org

tnmrohr@yahoo.com

A YOUTH’S PERSPECTIVE

BY ARDEN LIGHT

I will start by saying my favorite thing about Pride is being surrounded by people like me, I don’t feel so alone. I think that the youth drag show is a great event to show people that they can express themselves however they want to.

Something I have always wished to have is almost like a time when youth could just ask the adults questions, even anonymously. I feel that there is a big gap between the youth and the adults, it’s almost like two different communities. I think it would help a lot of scared LGBTQ+ kids to get advice from real people in Fargo/Moorhead not just from the internet.

I would also like to see more education on the history of pride of just LGBTQ+ history in general. I don’t remember learning about any historical LGBTQ+ people in school and I really wish I would have learned that they existed before I did. I also would love to see just education in general, what terms mean, how to find resources, etc .

Another thing is maybe an event that is advertised as an event welcoming allies. I know pride in the park especially gets alot of allies and I love that. I just wish there was a way to get more education out into the community but I’m not really sure the best way to do it.

The last thing, I’m not sure if this is the right place for it or if you want to keep Pride more celebratory, I think there needs to be a stronger push from everyone to get anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws in North Dakota.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

fmpride.com

fmgmc.org

Many LGBTQ+ organizations in the FM area fall under the Pride Collective “umbrella,” including FM Pride, the Fargo-Moorhead Gay Men’s Chorus, Tri-State Transgender, Kaleidoscope, Red River Rainbow Seniors, and PolyAware.

We have made every effort to try and showcase our local community groups in these pages, but if there is an LGBTQ+ organization that should be added, please contact us!

The Pride Collective & Community Center is a non-profit serving the FargoMoorhead LGBTQ+ community by bringing together multiple organizations to provide programming, resources, education, advocacy, and networking.

TRI-STATE TRANSGENDER

There are also LGBTQ+ organizations in the region that operate independently from the Pride Collective, including My Transition Partner, Community Uplift Program, Harbor Health Clinic, and more!

fmlgbtff.com

We hope that through bringing attention to all the amazing organizations that are working for LGBTQ+ people in our area, our community can grow and continue to be a safe, welcoming place for all!

We urge you to support these organizations in a way that is meaningful for you; volunteerism, attending events, financial donations, or simply following and sharing their messages on social media!