‘Visibility and empowerment’: Jackson County kicks off Pride Month with ceremony
Suzanne Wheeler, executive director of Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, never expected to celebrate Pride Month on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse.
After retiring from the military in 2016, Wheeler wasn’t even sure she could return to her hometown of Kansas City as an out transgender woman.
But on Wednesday, she was joined by legislators and organizations for a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the courthouse to ring in the beginning of Pride Month.
“If you asked me 10 years ago if I would be here, I would have told you no,” Wheeler said in an interview.
“Having the ability to be our authentic selves in our city is just overwhelming, it is amazing.”
Kansas City has a rich history of movements that pushed LGBTQ rights forward, Wheeler said, and it has been amazing to see the city embrace the history and celebrate Pride. She hopes people across the metro will see the ceremony and know that they are supported in the community.
Organizations like Transformations Youth Organization, LGBTQ Commission of Kansas City and the Kansas City Center for Inclusion participated in the event, with many representatives carrying Pride flags and signs to the steps of the courthouse where Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr., Jackson County Legislator Jalen Anderson and Wheeler spoke briefly.
Anderson said no one should be kicked out of their home, fired from their job or otherwise discriminated against for who they love or who they are.
“We will defend anyone and make sure that everyone is represented at all levels of government and throughout our county,” Anderson said.
Justice Horn, vice chair of the LGBTQ Commission of Kansas City, said that the ceremony was an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the queer community, but it was important to make sure the county’s policies reflect that too.
Horn, who is also running for the Jackson County legislature, said the county needs to ban conversion therapy and continue to support legislators and city staff who represent queer communities, especially in light of state government attacks on LGBTQ youth.
The Missouri legislature attempted but failed to pass two bills this past session that would bar transgender students from participating on sports teams that match the gender that they identify with.
“The only way you can stop people from falling through the edges is through visibility and empowerment,” Horn said.
The Kansas City Pride Parade and Festival will host events from June 10 to 12, and includes the parade, a pageant, local acts, food trucks and family friendly entertainment. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on June 11 at Westport Road and Pennsylvania Ave.
This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 1:10 PM.