Seattle is overflowing with pride. Plus a little Seattle sports royalty to celebrate 50 years of Pride in the Emerald City.
Seattle Pride estimates that about 300,000 people lined 4th Avenue for the annual parade. Protesters made their way through downtown to the Seattle Center, where the party is still going.
The day started out a bit cloudy, but it cleared up.
And it turns out that a lot of people, including elected officials, wanted to be here for this 50th anniversary of Seattle Pride.
It was a golden jubilee never to be forgotten.
And what difference does 50 years make? “A lot,” says Kristi Oosterveen, Bothell. “I hope it will make even more difference. We still have a long way to go.”
“People, you know, come together and celebrate love,” said Kim Stetson, Bothell, “celebrate acceptance.”
“I’m not actually from Seattle, I’m from Alaska,” Shannon Reynolds said. “So, just a hop-a-skip down. But it’s pretty awesome. And it’s awesome. It’s awesome to see everybody out. And you know what? Everybody’s happy today.”
Seattle’s Pride Parade proved irresistible to local elected officials, such as Senator Manka Dhingra, who is now running for attorney general.
“You know, when LGBTQIA rights are under pressure, when reproductive rights are under pressure, we need to make sure that we as Washingtonians take action,” Dhingra said, “and say that everyone belongs.”
For Democratic Congressman Pramila Jayapalthis is personal.
“As a mother of a transgender child, it’s really beautiful to see people here who understand what’s at stake,” Jayapal said. “And we have a community of people who see them and fight for those rights.”
This also includes the right to marry. This surprise wedding is on full display throughout the parade.
The Grand Marshals are also a symbol of that pride. Two Seattle sports icons are engaged and will one day get married.
“It’s really nice to have this community, just like looking around and seeing that you know old people, young people and kids,” says Megan Rapinoe, who recently retired from Seattle FC, a professional women’s soccer team, “as everyone celebrates the same thing . .”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight,” says Sue Bird, who ended her legendary career with the Seattle Storm in 2022. “There’s always that authenticity piece that we’re always looking for. That’s what pride is all about.”
That’s what pride is all about. The 2024 edition of Seattle Pride, its golden anniversary, is now in the history books.
