SCMN Pride History Overview

History

In the summer of 2002, a team of volunteers staged an event called "South Central Minnesota Pridefest", hoping to increase pride and visibility for the local queer and ally communities. Their efforts were coordinated by Tamara Berven through the now-defunct Alliance for Justice. The event led to a string of annual Pridefests, as well as a grass-roots group to run them. Pridefest ‘02 was dedicated to the memory of Jim Chalgren, a pioneer in Mankato area LGBTA activism.

Pridefest successfully returned in the summer of 2003. The event was dedicated to Abe Abram for her volunteer work and contributions to the community.

As Pridefest entered its third year, it was once again staged by a group of volunteers, led by community activist and Brigayde 'zine publisher James Tyson. Pridefest '04 was dedicated to the memory of Lin Hamer.

In 2005, the Pridefest committee changed the event's date to mid-September to allow for greater participation from the community's collegiate members. Pridefest '05 was dedicated to the Ruskey-Coons family, who created Mankato's famous coffee shop, The Coffee Hag.

In 2006, the committee adopted a new name, "South Central Minnesota Pride,” and a broader mandate. Under the leadership of co-chairs Jessica Flatequal and James Tyson, SCMN Pridefest 2006 was the biggest festival in our history.  In July 2006, the committee incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit.  While the annual festival remains our highest priority, we now coordinate community events that promote LGBT pride year-round. 2006 Pridefest was dedicated to Tamara Berven for her dedication and hard work in making the first South Central Minnesota Pridefest a reality in 2002 and for helping bring it back again in 2003!