Local Human Rights Commission to host its first Pride event this weekend

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission is inviting the community to celebrate at Pride in the Park on Saturday.

Pride Month honors the Stonewall Uprising which happened in New York City, New York in June 1969 after the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar, was raided by law enforcement. Bar patrons revolted against law enforcement, and that fueled the gay liberation movement.

Commission Executive Director Raychel Farmer says their agency started hosting Pride Month proclamation readings in 2022. This year, she and Commission Administrative Assistant Jada Morris decided to host a celebration, because there is currently no other Pride events taking place community.

Farmer says Pride in the Park will include food trucks, vendors and an open mic session where folks are invited to show off their talents whether its music, poetry or spoken word. Folks can register for open mic spots at the event, or by calling the office at 270-887-4010.

Farmer says it’s long overdue for Hopkinsville to have its own pride celebration and is proud that the commission is leading that charge.

Pride in the Park will be on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Greenway Amphitheater by the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and it’s free to attend.