Seniors who laid the groundwork reflect on growth of Fargo-Moorhead Pride

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Saturday night was the date for the annual Fargo-Moorhead Pride Block Party, hosting nationally recognized drag performers. But on Sunday, it’s all about the colorful parade through Downtown Fargo.

“There’s a huge amount of us. We’re here, we love it, and we’re staying.”

But Pride isn’t just about the younger crowd. This year the Parade was led by the Red River Rainbow Seniors, a group for LGBTQ+ seniors.

“When I left North Dakota, there was nothing like this. So I was pleasantly surprised and amazed, actually, that this event took place in Fargo and Moorhead.”

Marg Nelson says that for many LGBTQ+ seniors, isolation is a problem, and social groups like the Rainbow Seniors help to keep them connected with the community.

“Just having this group to do things with, and have fun with is very important. And we’re very happy that this group is here.”

And they also help to highlight the contributions that the older generation has made towards equality.

“They paved the way for us, and they’re the ones that got this going. They’re the ones that have made these tough decisions. Some of them had to live in the closet the majority of their lives, and thankfully the rest of us haven’t had to necessarily face that.”

Larry Peterson, a member of the Red River Rainbow Seniors and a former history professor at NDSU, has been working on a project that highlights the history of the LGBTQ+ community in our region.

“I coordinate the oral history project called “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains “, a project from the Red River Rainbow Seniors.”

For Peterson, it’s a way of keeping the contributions of the older generation alive.

“We’re gathering stories from people who grew up in a time when they were a hidden minority.”

Christine Knudson was in attendance for the parade. She transitioned in 2003.

“I retired from the federal government, and they didn’t like it in the government. So the day after I retired, I came out completely.”

And she hopes that elders in the community like her can offer guidance to the younger generation.

“Seniors have laid the groundwork so they can come out, so that the younger people are working to help that happen, and that’s important.”

For more information on “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains,” you can check out their Facebook page.