In a park on the edge of downtown Spencer, tucked up against the White River, the little picnic was public but not publicized. They decided on a picnic, pooling their money to buy hamburgers and hot dogs to give away. They had wanted to raise LGBT awareness and support, particularly given high rates of suicide among LGBT youth, but were unsure how a parade or festival would go over in Spencer. The message that Spencer Pride sends with its tall rainbow flags is twofold, aimed at both the LGBT community and the Spencer community at large:Įleven years ago, back when marriage equality existed in one state, the founders of Spencer Pride gathered for their first festival. Spencer Pride says it's the smallest community in the United States with an LGBT center.Īnd while several of Indiana's larger cities have Pride events - think Indy, Fort Wayne, Lafayette and Bloomington, to name a few - Spencer may be one of the smallest Hoosier communities to celebrate and support its LGBT residents, with its annual festival this weekend. Through volunteer work and downtown revitalization efforts, Spencer Pride is finding common ground even with those who disapprove of the LGBT community.Īnd Spencer Pride's presence is part of the town's rebirth: After more than a decade of advocating for LGBT people in rural Indiana, Spencer Pride opened a volunteer-run downtown storefront, selling locally made jewelry, soaps and other gifts while providing LGBT resources to the rural area. Once smaller, quieter and more apprehensive about how it fit into the community, Spencer Pride has now carved out its place in town. More small-town news: Trump's budget targets rural Indiana despite overwhelming support Quick thinking: Nursing student revived Snake Pit partier without a pulse Takeout time: UberEATS starts delivery from Indy restaurants Approve or don’t approve, they see us as people.” “Can’t be a stranger,” said Spencer Pride co-founder Judi Epp. Still, it can be hard to hate or oppose someone you know, someone you talk to, someone you work with. Yet messages of opposition to the LGBT community are clear: snide remarks and smashed mailboxes, intimidation and bullying. People say a certain amount of “live and let live” allows everyone to stay in their corners. This is the new home of Spencer Pride, a local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender nonprofit organization.įrom the outside, many in the town of 2,217 seem unerringly polite, downplaying any clash between the LGBT community and conservative residents. At the heart of Spencer, a historic county courthouse with a copper dome pays homage to war heroes with memorials around the immaculate lawn.Īnd at one end of downtown, two towering rainbow flags stand outside a storefront. Railroad tracks cut through the town square. SPENCER – Some 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis, down a stretch of highway filled with trucks, and then along a winding two-lane country road, tiny Spencer looks almost exactly like what you would expect from a Midwestern small town.Ī quarter buys you two hours on the downtown parking meters. As always, our popular Drag Show will take place in the afternoon.Watch Video: Indiana town celebrates LGBT community
Keep checking our website for entertainment updates. Street Performances will also pop up throughout the day. Local brewery Civilian Brewing Corps will be onsite at the Tivoli Theatre selling beer for those 21 & over. Live, local entertainment will be on the Ivy Tech Stage at the historic Tivoli Theatre, in the Gathering place of the Spencer Pride commUnity center, & at Juniper Gallery throughout the day. In fact, this will be the 4th year that our event will feature a Pet Pride Parade (presented by Elanco), with those furry members of our families participating to help us raise awareness to the need for the spaying and neutering of animals. The festival is pet-friendly and dogs with responsible owners are welcome. Spencer Pride has always been – and always will be – a 100% family-focused festival, with activities for individuals of all ages throughout the entire day. Spencer Pride attracts visitors from throughout the entire region.
The Spencer Pride Festival is the largest rural LGBTQ+ gathering in the state of Indiana. Regardless of how you identify, you are welcome at Spencer Pride for a full-day of free, fabulous, family fun! Spencer Pride is 100% family-focused & welcomes individuals of all ages & backgrounds. The volunteers of Spencer Pride invite you to attend our 14th annual Spencer Pride Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2020.