What The Approved Pride Parade Means For Starkville Pride Members

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville city leaders reverse a historic decision.

Now, the town will become one of the few in the state with a Pride Parade.

After Mayor Lynn Spruill’s tie-breaking vote, the controversial decision signaled a wave of change in north Mississippi.

What started out as Starkville Pride organizing a parade for Pride Week, quickly swirled into controversy, national headlines, and a lawsuit.

“I went from tears because I was so worried that nothing was changing, to being so excited because I truly felt like we made a difference, that this made a difference, and not just in the fact that we got a parade, but because people realized that we too are citizens and we deserve equitable rights,” says Starkville Pride Director, Bailey McDaniel.

Members say the national attention led to hundreds of people from across the country reaching out to the MSU campus organization; confirming they’ll be in Starkville for the Pride Parade.

“I’m so excited because it does, it sets a precedent for what Starkville can do, for what students can do, for what we can do as a community, and just like the change that we can implement just by standing up for our rights.”

Member Sam Calvert believes the vote and the parade has statewide implications.

“What does this do for Mississippi? I think it might start tearing down a lot of those opinions of Mississippi, that we’re the most backward in everything, that like, we have two major prides I know of, at least now in Mississippi,” says Calvert.

Members know the decision isn’t welcomed by everyone, but it does give hope to the LGBT community.

“Now, maybe we can more comfortably walk down the street and not feel like we’re going to be attacked, or shouted at for holding hands with somebody you love, and it’s affirming to know that you are welcomed where you live,” says Calvert.

“Gives people hope that they can do something to this caliber, you know, maybe there will be a pride parade in Tupelo next year, maybe there will be a pride parade in Mantachie, I don’t know. I think for the LGBT community this is a really big visible moment, specifically in Mississippi,” says Bailey.

The parade will take place in downtown Starkville on March 24th.