x
Breaking News
More () »

Louisville's 'Pride' history goes back two decades

The city of Louisville stood up for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. It's a move that changed the lives of those who once lived in fear.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – As Pride Week celebrations wrap up in Louisville, Pride Month celebrations are far from over.

This week and month have not come without push back, but many are happy at how far the community has come.

“It’s amazing -- in 1982 we had our first Pride picnic. I think 125 people showed up – plus it was not in Louisville, it was 35-miles outside of town,” David Williams, founder of Williams Nichols Collection said.

Back then fear was a common word used in the LGBTQ+ community. It was one used by Williams and many others today when describing the history of their rights.

“People just didn’t want to be identified publicly as gay or lesbian or transgender – all that kind of changed after the establishment of the Fairness Campaign in 1991,” Williams said.

Rowdy Whitworth added, “I grew up in a time in the mid ‘80s when you would have to park down the street and walk so that no one would even see your car in front of a gay bar.”

Whitworth now owns an LGBTQ+ bar in downtown Louisville openly and without fear, a much different era than earlier times.

The Stonewall riots in New York 50 years ago led the charge in the fight for LGBTQ rights in the country.  

“The history behind Stonewall is so important to me because we have to remember those people. If it wasn’t for events like what happened at Stonewall and people standing up and demanding their rights and saying enough is enough, we would not be here today,” he said.

DJ Victoria Syimone added, “I am a trans person of color who only gets 28 days of black history and no LGBT history at all.”

RELATED: Pride flag raised at Louisville Metro Hall

RELATED: Louisville mayor declares June 10-17 Pride Week

History that many in this community are hoping will pave the way for others and celebrate the pride of those before them.

“I started in radio when I was 15 and I would have never dreamed – I was still in my new experience. I would have never dream of putting that part of my life out there. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned the importance of stepping into your own truth,” AJ McKay, a radio DJ said.

The first ever Pride was held in Lexington although Louisville was the first to pass a Fairness Ordinance.

The figures of how many attended this year’s Pride Weekend celebrations have not yet been released.

►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users. 

Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. 

Contact reporter Paulina Bucka at pbucka@whas11.com.  Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out