Steady rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of hundreds of Fargo-Moorhead residents Sunday when, for the first time, the F-M Pride Parade took to the streets in Moorhead.

Hundreds of people of all ages huddled under umbrellas – many of them embellished with rainbows – to watch marchers and vehicles proceed up 20th Street South in support of equal rights, respect and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.

On Saturday, the accompanying arts and entertainment festival, F-M Pride in the Park, also made its Moorehad debut. The Bluestem Center for the Arts was packed with entertainment and more than 100 booths showcasing artisans, vendors, merchants, service providers, and families and individuals on hand to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Some observers estimated the crowd was the largest in the event’s history.

F-M Pride organizers said the decision to move the events from their traditional venues in Fargo was based on the safety factor. They said the political climate in North Dakota as a factor, specifically legislation passed by the 2023 Legislature targeting transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile, Minnesota observed the 10th anniversary of same-sex marriage this month.

(Photos/Nancy Hanson)