Thousands gather for annual Pride Fest

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Katie Brewer came from Jonesboro, Arkansas, Saturday for her first pride festival in Downtown Memphis, and she was glad she did.

“I love it,” Brewer said. “Everybody out here is happy, and you can be yourself and you don’t have to worry about being embarrassed. There’s so much love; it’s really great. It feels amazing.”

She was one of thousands attending Memphis Pride Fest, which transformed Robert R. Church Park into a sea of rainbow flags, clothing and body paint. The three-day event, organized by Mid-South Pride, is a chance for local members of the LGBTQ community to celebrate with live music, dance, a parade and more.

OUT Memphis, recently renamed from the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, had multiple tents at the festival, where anyone interested could pick up free sexual health materials and condoms, purchase T-shirts with the new logo and receive free HIV testing.

“... HIV is a huge thing in the LGBT population, especially among gay and bi (sexual) men,” said Martavius Hampton, working in one of the tents. “Especially gay and bi men of color. So we’re trying to make sure that we’re here, we’re visible to provide testing.”

The park was filled with tents occupied by many local churches and organizations offering information and free goodies, as well as rainbow flags, clothing and