Celebrating Cincinnati Pride 2022
Cincinnati kicked off Pride Parade 2022 this past Saturday, June 25 in downtown Cincinnati. Thousands of people cheered, danced, and embraced – celebrating love in all forms. We asked local Pride goers to tell us what Pride is to them and why it’s important to celebrate publicly.
Interviews by Chelsie Walter and Courtney Reynolds. Photography by Chelsie Walter. Editing help by Taylor Houston and Olive Taylor.
Why is Pride important to you?
“Pride is just a way. It's important to me because of the way I express myself. It makes me feel very comfortable knowing that people are supportive. As well, it's good that Pride is a thing that you don't have to be ashamed of anymore, so that's one reason I think Pride is very important.” –Tanara
Why are you here today?
“I'm here because I'm celebrating the victories of just being me. And just being able to be me with my friends.” –Mae
Mae’s friends chiming in:
“Well, I'm here to celebrate me and my friends, and everyone in the community.”
“It's just a way of saying hey, we support each other and there's all these people that are willing to come out and support us too.”
What does Pride mean to you?
“Oh my god, Pride is everything. Pride is the coming together of everybody. I think the beautiful thing about Pride this year is that there's more straight couples bringing their kids here. It's the new normal. Yes, we're taking a step back with women's bodies, hugely, but I think as human beings we're progressing in a direction that hopefully we can all cohabitate and just live beautifully together.” –Dennis
“Pride is about protesting and marching and being visible because we're not always allowed to be visible. Pride is about being present, making our presence known, and saying that we're here regardless if you want this to be because we're valid human beings.” –Rhiannon
“Pride is important to me because it allows people to be who they are, get together with friends and family, and celebrate diversity and each person's uniqueness.” –Jennifer
“I think pride is so important because people love who they love, and everybody should be able to express their feelings and their emotions and be part of a community.” –Joy
Words from Tristan Vaught, Co-founder of Transform
Pride for many years has been a time of mixed emotions. I watch young people often finding their voice and space while I am consistently being reminded that we still have so much work to do. As someone who has helped for many years create spaces and events for pride, I’m often exhausted but in reflection I can sit back and see the mingling of celebration and the fierce spirit of the original riot coupled in the month. Pride, like our community is deep, ever-changing, complex, and resilient. Pride for many years has been a time of mixed emotions. I watch young people often finding their voice and space while I am consistently being reminded that we still have so much work to do. As someone who has helped for many years create spaces and events for pride, I’m often exhausted but in reflection I can sit back and see the mingling of celebration and the fierce spirit of the original riot coupled in the month. Pride, like our community is deep, ever-changing, complex, and resilient.
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