In the midst of Pride Month, which begins June 1 each year, Seymour’s first Pride event was conducted Sunday at Crossroads Community Park.
It was organized by Katrina “Kat” Hardwick of Seymour and Faith Harrison of Brownstown.
Hardwick said Pride is a chance for members of the LGBTQ+ community and friends, family and supporters to come together, live in honesty and be proud of who they are.
“It’s being proud in the sense of being honest and living truthfully and not having to hide the actual person you are,” she said.
The event featured music, door prizes, art stations, food, drinks and testimonials from speakers.
While larger cities have held Pride festivals and similar events for years, Hardwick said she wanted to be able to have an event in Jackson County for people who aren’t able to travel out of town.
She was born and raised in Seymour and said conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusivity weren’t happening the way they are today when she graduated from Seymour High School in 1996.
“There are (LGBTQ+) adults like myself who live, work and love here, and we’re saying it’s OK,” she said. “Visibility and representation matter for communities that haven’t always allowed to have that.”
Seymour Pride gave an opportunity for younger kids who already know they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or might be questioning it to help realize it is OK to be who you are without any shame, Hardwick said.
Harrison was originally planning a Pride event in Brownstown between her and her friends, but she said more people were getting invited, and she didn’t want to exclude anyone who might want to celebrate.
Eventually, Harrison was able to connect with Hardwick through mutual friends, and it turned out they both wanted to organize a Pride event. Starting Thursday, Seymour Pride was planned in three days.
Both were delighted at the turnout and support the event received.
At one point, Hardwick said she counted around 80 people in attendance, but there was likely more than 100 people who showed up over the course of the event. She called planning the event “a labor of love.”
“I’m very grateful for the turnout. The whole community all came together,” Harrison said.
Tomas Cole attended the event and said he was pleasantly surprised by how many people came. He said he had a blast and enjoyed the energy.
Many local businesses made donations to Seymour Pride, and the organizers were appreciative of their support.
A larger, more structured Seymour Pride event is planned for the future with vendors and performers. Due to so many donations coming in for the event, a fund will be started to help put on future events. A board or a committee also is in the works.