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STARKVILLE PROUD
TERRIUS HARRIS
The story I’m about to report almost didn’t happen. It’s the story of the planning of a Pride parade in, of all places, Starkville, Mississippi.
Pride! It’s a time where millions of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world are able to fully express and celebrate who they are. A time when, no matter your differences, there is a home for everyone. Pride parades in particular are known for their extravagant displays of love of all kinds and a unique feeling of joy for all. Said parades are usually held in more liberal cities, such as New York City; Washington, D.C.; or Atlanta.
And yet, in what was potentially a monumental step forward, Starkville—which is commonly known as a small, conservative city in a conservative state—had an opportunity to join the ranks of the aforementioned cities.
This is a story where discrimination and exclusion were poised to stop a major success. However, this is also a story about how the powers of courage and kindness combined to become a force greater than the sum of those parts.
It begins in late 2017, when twenty-two-year-old Starkville Pride Director and Founder Bailey McDaniel had a vision in which Starkville would not only hold its first Pride parade ever but also the largest parade of any kind in its city’s history.
But, in a firm rebuke, the Starkville Board of Aldermen voted upon and denied the request to hold the parade. For a moment, it appeared there was no recourse. Refusing to give up, the Starkville Pride leaders opted to file a lawsuit against the city based on their alleged discriminatory decision. After the filing of this lawsuit, the board again voted to bring the event back into consideration, and after a 3–3 tie, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill cast the tie-breaking vote—which was the turning point in favor of Starkville Pride. Planning could move forward to bring Bailey’s vision for the Pride parade to life.
On the morning of March 24, 2018, the Pride leaders nervously wondered how many participants would actually show and whether or not there would be threats along the route. But at the appointed hour, as Bailey arrived with other Pride leaders, they saw no reason to worry: An estimated three thousand people had shown up to be part of the parade! It was their first-ever LGBTQ+ parade, of course, and the largest parade of any kind in the city’s history.
People, no matter if they were straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, black, or white, joined together to show their support for the community they love. Marching side by side, step by step, thousands rejoiced. The excitement was contagious. People have marched in Mississippi before to bring about change, and this Pride parade was also an important step in the state’s history.
An event of celebration and representation of the city’s value for its diverse populations, the day changed Starkville forever. A true light in the dark, the story to be told does not need to focus on its beginning, but instead on its happy ending. The conclusion has inspired countless young people to know that they, too, can make a change. For a community of people, it reaffirmed that not only do they belong in Starkville—they are welcomed with open arms.
The Starkville Pride Parade was an event that changed the face of Starkville and, with any luck, inspired other small rural LGBTQ+ leaders to push forward, just as Bailey McDaniel did.
Although it had a rough beginning, hopefully this uplifting story has left the world a better place and caught the attention of others wishing to make change and, giving them hope, just like a rainbow after a terrible storm.
Change requires vision for a better day and not giving up hope when all looks unfair and mean. Change requires courage, like that of a twenty-two-year-old Pride parade organizer and the mayor of a small Mississippi town who was willing to cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of fairness and inclusion. Most of all, it takes a village—one composed of all those who marched in pride for themselves and one another.
When Starkville—and other places like it—win at opening arms and hearts to all members of our community, we all win.
Love always wins, and Terrius’ story is proof of that. The LGBTQ+ community should be respected and embraced, and if you identify as LGBTQ+, know I wholeheartedly celebrate you just the way you are. You matter. You are important. And I promise you, you are loved. If your community doesn’t celebrate Pride, I encourage you to safely start your own movement. For resources on building a LGBTQ+ inclusive community, visit Center Link or GLSEN, and if you identify as LGBTQ+, check out TrevorSpace, an online affirming community for LGBTQ young people.
