'We had to stop being quiet' — Pride in the Park returns for 2nd year

Standing in Dartts Park, surrounded by rainbows and smiling faces, Bri Hansen marveled at how much the community has changed in a few short years.

Hansen lived in Owatonna for years before coming out as a transgender woman. Now, as a co-vice chair of local LGBTQ group Rainbowatonna, she is part of a celebration that once seemed impossible.

Rainbowatonna’s first pride event, a small picnic in 2022, drew around 50 attendees. Last year, the organization held its inaugural Pride in the Park, an all-day event that attracted hundreds of attendees. Despite challenges coming from within and outside of the community, Rainbowatonna grew in the wake of the event, gaining members and hosting a series of smaller celebrations throughout the year.

Pride in the Park attracted even more support this year, with over 40 vendors including businesses and nonprofits taking part in this weekend’s festivities. The event kicked off with a proclamation read by City Council Member Brent Svenby that acknowledged the history of mistreatment and discrimination LGBTQ people have experienced.

Hansen was moved by the outpouring of support she witnessed Saturday in Dartts Park.

“It makes me feel so happy. When we first started, I didn’t think we’d have this amazing turnout,” she said.

Hansen said there are still hurdles for the community to overcome in regards to the acceptance of LGBTQ people, but she’s inspired by the change that’s already happened.

While some attendees have taken part in pride events for years, others had only recently joined in the celebration.

Spencer Hassing, who was attending their second pride event, highlighted the comfortable atmosphere of the gathering.

“I really like how spread out it is, because I have issues with crowds and stuff like that. I also really like the general vibe. Everyone’s super nice,” they said.

Hassing attended Pride in the Park while visiting their aunt, Kristi Knapton, who joined last year’s event. Knapton enjoyed the first event, which was hosted in Morehouse Park. She was skeptical of the venue change initially, but found Dartts Park contributed to a “laid back and friendly” feel.

“Everyone is willing to sit and talk for a little bit. It’s great to meet new people. Everyone is in a good mood,” said Knapton.

For Zeke Quast, the word that came to mind was “welcoming.” They joined the celebration with their mom, Heather, and sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who sported a pair of rainbow wings alongside her mom, had just attended her first pride event last month.

“It feels amazing to be around people who just connect,” said Zeke. “Just all around really nice people. Really great experience.”

That’s precisely what Rainbowatonna Chair Nathan Black hoped to offer. Black said his organization has experienced some pushback prior to Pride in the Park, but it fell short of the vitriol they saw last year. Instead, they’ve seen more businesses and nonprofits eager to join them.

For Black, the rainbow is a symbol of hope in the midst of adversity.

“It was created at a time when LGBT folks were suffering in probably every way imaginable. We could be fired, we could be kicked out of our apartments, we could be harassed by police. Add the AIDS crisis to that. This became a banner of hope, of inclusion,” he said. “For me, the rainbow comes after the storm, and it’s just such a hopeful sign that the beautiful day is coming back.”

He hopes Rainbowatonna’s efforts help make Owatonna a beacon of neighborliness to everyone, including LGBTQ people as well as communities that have faced racial and cultural discrimination.

Lifelong Owatonnan Shannon Boerner, who joined the Rainbowatonna board after attending Pride in the Park last year, has been waiting for that change for a long time.

“I grew up here, and I didn’t come out ‘til almost 36. A lot of that was because of the community,” he said. “We had to stop being quiet. We had to stop being stifled, pushed down and told to shut up, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ type stuff. No — tell. Ask, tell, talk about it. It’s time.”

While no one in his graduating class was openly LGBTQ, he’s aware of several that have since come out.

After keeping his gay identity a secret for years, Jonh Beadell has attended both Pride in the Park events to meet new people and make memories.

He was initially cautious about coming out to his family when he was younger, but was met with acceptance. Over the years, he’s watched pride flags pop up in the community one by one, making him feel more welcome.

“I like how everybody is not afraid to show who they really are. I’m not afraid anymore,” said Beadell.

For people still fearful to join a public pride event, Black had a simple message: “We’re here.”

Rainbowatonna will be hosting a number of smaller events in the coming months, and Pride in the Park will return next year.

“Keep looking for that courage to join us, and we’ll be here when you do,” Black said.