Post # 3, The Proud

(The awesome flag I bought at last years pride festival.) 

Greetings readers! This week I want to talk about an event that recently started here in Topeka. Topeka Pride. When I went to the first pride festival I was ecstatic! The LGBT community is close to my heart as many any of my family members and friends identify as LGBT. For those who don't know, a pride festival is an event where people gather to celebrate LGBT culture, show support, and discuss many of the legal and social issues the LGBT community face.

Now, pride festivals are not a new thing of course. It is fairly new to Topeka though. This years pride festival will mark it as the third. The Topeka Pride has taken place at the NOTO District since 2014. This year the festival will be from September 12th to September 17th! Almost a whole week! The previous year was only two days! 2016 Topeka Pride is still being planned, but it has been announced that they will have an award ceremony, a parade, street fair, drag show, and an after party.

Last years festival included merchants, food vendors, and stands by organizations such us NOW, National Organization for Women. The local vendors at NOTO were also open and ready for business. There was face painting, music, a bake sale from the local high schools, speeches from local LGBT activists, belly dancing and much more!

If you want to stay updated on news about Topeka Pride or get involved feel free to like and follow their Facebook page and visit their website. The following article written by Ciara Reid for the Liberty Press also talks about the 2016 festival and mentions the planned speaking guest. The Google map will also help locate the NOTO District where the event will be held. I hope to see guys this year at pride!
Article
Facebook page
Website