When Pride Comes to Small-Town USA for The New York Times
“It is not something that I thought we would ever have here. It’s a very conservative area. I’ve seen a lot of things, experienced a lot that made me think that we wouldn’t be able to have this much support for an event like this.”
Vivian Repka
“Being a gay boy raised in a town like this, you didn’t see a lot of support. You didn’t see a lot of visibility. As my husband and I were walking up, I was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be something to see this in our hometowns?’ To see the kids out here, the support of the community — that would have been a game changer in the ’90s.”
Shawn Harwell
“Not everyone wants to go down to the city. It’s a lot smaller, just local, fun, warm energy. Shows that it’s not just cities that are supporting the L.G.B.T.Q. communities but also neighboring small towns.”
Harrison Wright
“I consider myself a Christian, a conservative, a Republican. But the Bible says: Jesus came to save, not condemn. We’re saved by grace through faith. Love God. Love your neighbor. Share the good news.”
Quintin Koger Kidd
