With nearly 1,000 anti- LGBTQ bills introduced in the country so far this year, the Kentuckiana community has committed to the importance of Pride celebrations for the queer community.
With nearly 1,000 anti- LGBTQ bills introduced in the country so far this year, the Kentuckiana community has committed to the importance of Pride celebrations for the queer community.
The local area hosts three annual Pride celebrations, including Southern Indiana Pride Festival, Kentuckiana Pride Festival and Louisville Pride Festival.
Of the 942 anti-trans bills seen in the country, 35 were introduced in Indiana and Kentucky— nearly four percent. Though 12 of the 17 anti-trans bills introduced in Indiana have failed, the negative rhetoric still permeates through news, social media, and real-life conversations.
“ No matter the rhetoric or what laws that come down we’ ve been down this road before,” said Ebony Cross, executive director of Louisville Pride Foundation, the group that puts on Louisville Pride Festival.
The persistence of celebrations when there is an onslaught of transphobic and homophobic speech and bill proposals is reminiscent of how Pride began— as a remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising in 1970, where LGBTQ + folks spent six days protesting harassment and discrimination by police.
“ The fight for us to continue being ourselves, supporting each other, providing necessary resources, education and being in community with each other and allies is what keeps the movement going,” Cross said.
The Southern Indiana Pride Festival welcomed almost 6,000 attendees on June 7. The attendance amounted to a 40 % increase compared to 2024 according to Sarah Johnson, president of Southern Indiana Pride.
“ Pride reminds us that our community is strong, vibrant, and deserving of visibility and protection. It honors the legacy of those who fought for our rights and renews our commitment to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and safely,” Johnson said.
“ In these challenging times, showing up for Pride is a powerful way to say: we are here, we matter, and we will not be erased.”
Kentuckiana Pride Festival took place June 21 on the Big
Four Lawn. Local nonprofits, food trucks, businesses and other organizations lined the walkways along the riverfront for the event. Singer Natasha Bedingfield took the stage as the main act for the event.
Kentuckiana Pride Foundation looks to promote social, economic and health equity for sexual and gender minorities by advocating pride, according to the group’ s website. The annual event acts as a method of bringing the community together to celebrate and honor the mission.
“ If we didn’ t have our Kentuckiana Pride Foundation, we wouldn’ t have much of a pride to put on, and especially without our volunteers helping us. It takes a village to make this work,” said Elizabeth Dallenbach, the event’ s volunteer chair coordinator.
Ebony Cross is the executive director of the Louisville Pride Foundation.
July | August 2025 DIVERSITY 27