"I mean, to me now, at this point, it's like, 'Oh, there's the Pride flag. "When they see the symbols like a Pride flag, that's really important, like that speaks volumes," Barrett said,=. 21, at 11 a.m.The event will kick off at Westport Road and Broadway.
Kansas city gay pride 2021 install#
The Office of the City Manager of the City of Kansas City, Mo partnering with the LGBTQ Commission to install four Pride Progress themed crosswalks at the intersection of 39th St.
"I really believe, firmly believe, in not shutting up about this, because I want others to live out and proud and feel safe and feel empowered in their community like Kansas City, because we have a great LGBTQ community here," Barrett said.Ī Progress Pride flag will be flown atop City Hall starting Thursday morning, marking the first-time a Pride flag has flown on a government building in Kansas City. The Pride Parade is backWith a new organization behind the helm, the 2021 Kansas City Pride Parade has been scheduled for Aug. Starting August 2021, Kansas Citians will be able to walk with pride across three new colorful additions to KC streets in Midtown. It was a long and trying process he shares in his book, "Godly. "(I'm a) former Baptist minister, married, three kids, went through three years of conversion therapy before finally coming out, and I use that story to encourage people to live authentically, not be controlled by fear or shame," Barrett said. "They just want to know that there's other people like them and, especially to see an adult that is accepted by the other teachers and the administration, I think helps a lot also," Van Leeuwen said.Įveryone's journey is different, but coming out was a years-long battle for Van Leeuwen as well as Joel Barrett, who waited years before feeling safe enough to come out. "If, especially kids, can realize that it's OK, that they don't have to hide for 20 years and they can just be who they are, then that's good," Van Leeuwen said.Īs symbols of Pride emerge across Kansas City, Van Leeuwen, who is also a middle school art teacher, said he shares his pride year-round with his students in the classroom. Van Leeuwen said it's particularly important for younger generations. "You don't necessarily even have to accept me, but I ask that you respect me and respect my community and recognize that we are here, we are not going anywhere, we’ve been here and we’re just going to increase in numbers." "I say to them educate yourself," Glasgow Brown said. "Our mission is to dismantle systems of oppression, to promote justice and to ensure that all voices within the LGBTQ community are represented," said Commission Chair Moon Glasgow Brown, who believes Pride is making a stand just by developing the commission.īut the work is far from over and community members believe everyone can play a role in spreading love over hate. The installation Van Leeuwen's painting coincides with the start of Pride Month in Kansas City, the first one since the city's LGBTQ+ Commission was formed.