MINNEAPOLIS — Twin Cities Pride has kicked off and thousands are flooding Loring Park to celebrate inclusion.
There’s art, food, activities and more than 650 vendors and businesses offering resources and support. Tomorrow Pride events will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As usual, it is free of charge. Between 600-700,000 people are expected to attend.
“The hope is that they can feel celebrated, that they can feel safe and that we can also use this time of reflection and as much fun as this is, we do have to remember that pride started as a riot,” said J’Kalein Madison, TC Pride board member. “And this is not something that is just a fun party in the park for the weekend, but something that we can do all year round: being your true self. “
Love comes in different forms. At the Free Mom Hugs booth, its being dished out in the form of fist bumps, high fives and hugs.
“This is my reason, this is the reason I’m here,” said mother Bobbi Jo, pointing to her son, Atlas.
“When I first came out, I was nervous,” said Atlas, a trans man. “I don’t know why, I was so worried because she’s always so supportive.”
The two of them say they’re lucky to have one another, knowing others aren't always welcomed with open arms.
“My kid had told me about friends of theirs whose parents had rejected them,” said Ann Agrimson, who has given out hugs for four years. “And I think it's so sad. And they need to know they're loved for who they are.”
Her husband, Gus, is in his first year.
“One of the first hugs I gave was a person who told me their dad had passed away just very recently and so it was a very long, and heart-felt hug,” he said.
Some hugs are quick, while others linger.
Erin Fryman says she’s been on a decade-long journey of finding out who she really is.
“I’ve been going through a lot of grieving of my family never really necessarily seeing who I am,” said Erin. “And so, I saw the moms and needed a mom hug, and it really meant everything.”
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