FROM STAFF REPORTS
PHOTOS BY AMANDA CALDWELL
There were rainbows, smiles and hugs in abundance on Saturday as people greeted each other with enthusiastic wishes for a “Happy Pride Day!”
The Statesville Pride Parade & Festival drew hundreds to downtown. The parade was a diverse mix of participants, from local ministers, families, moms offering free hugs, and members of PFLAG walking the route, along with several drag performers riding atop convertibles.
“It’s a fabulous day when so many diverse folks can come out and experience love and support from so many,” said local PFLAG founding member Sheri Coarsey. “Statesville needs more safe spaces.”
The parade ended at West Broad Street, where dozens of vendors and a stage for performances awaited. In addition to food and artist vendors, booths included organizations like the Iredell County Public Library, Iredell Heath System, Children’s Hope Alliance, and Mitchell Community College, along with local church and nonprofit groups.
Coarsey also expressed gratitude for the Statesville Police Department and Chief David Onley.
“We love having the support of the SPD to keep us safe and make sure everyone enjoys our day,” she said.
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Child abuse to expose those innocent children to drag queens.
AMEN!
What was child abuse was my parents forcing me to be attracted to girls and women or else I’d be beaten. But you straights don’t care about that.
For a minute I thought we were in San Francisco? Pretty sick day in Statesville!
Agree
Keep crying
So sad! I never would have thought I would see the day that something like this came to Statesville!
Congratulations! You lived long enough to see it!
Y’all sure are some uptight people. Just relax. Everything’s going to be fine. No one’s going to break into your house and make you gay.
This is so wonderful!! I’m so sorry I missed this!! Next year, I’ll be there! And I’ll bring tons of friends!!
I’m thrilled to see Statesville FINALLY supporting your LGBTQIA+ community! I can’t wait for our first PRIDE parade to be held next month here in Mooresville! 🏳️🌈
Makes me ashamed I pay taxes in Iredell. Shame, shame, shame. Y’all need to stop celebrating your sins.
Stop forcing your book onto others. It’s your religion, therefore it’s YOUR problem, not ours.
For those saying exposing children to drag queens is child abuse, here is a thought for you. No drag queens have been convicted of harming children. Priests, pastors, boy scout leaders, all have been. So who is exposing their kids to abuse? The answer is everyone who has taken their kids to church or scouts.
Proverbs 14:34 (KJV) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Isaiah 5:20 (KJV) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Which group should we be singling out? I don’t see a movement to shun divorced people. “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel. [Malachi 2:16].
This is a disgrace to the city of Statesville. Especially the parents that brought their children.
You are the disgrace to Statesville!
There is no such thing as sin. Relax. It’s all goodness!
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world”
So many sinless people here! Too bad they missed the rapture.