Since high school, one of the things on my bucket list has been to attend a gay pride event. Over the weekend I got to do just that! I imagined that my first pride experience would take place in some bustling city like Los Angeles, New York City, or Washington D.C. Never in a million years did I think that it would take place in Mississippi, especially not in Starkville. The backstory behind this parade, in particular, makes my experience even more remarkable.

After a year of planning, Starkville Pride, a grassroots organization moved to set the parade into motion. On February 20th, Starkville Pride’s parade request was denied by the Starkville Board of Alderman. This decision led to national coverage and after some consideration, the Board of Alderman met again this time deciding to approve the parade.

The parade is the first gay parade to occur in the city and in the surrounding areas. According to Starkville Daily News, the parade drew nearly 3,000 people making it the largest parade the city has ever seen.

As a native of Starkville’s surrounding area and a member of the LGBT community, I find it difficult to find a place where I feel I belong. The pride parade gave me a home -- a judge free space among a community of people like myself. For the first time in my life, I was not the misfit.

The euphoria has yet to wear off.

Not only is this my first time being in a pride parade, it is also the first time I have marched for any cause. Sure, gay pride parades grant us a beautiful chance to celebrate our lifestyles or to celebrate the lifestyles of others but more importantly, these events give us all a chance to be heard, ignite change, and strive for equality.

Though I never expected my first pride experience to turn out the way it did, I would not have it any other way. Starkville Pride’s parade is undoubtedly the most incredible entity that I’ve ever had the pleasure to be a part of. What an amazing feeling it is to have celebrated this event in such an unlikely location right here at home!