39th Street District to host this year’s Pride festival
The 39th Street District Association has taken over organization of Oklahoma City's annual LGBTQ Pride celebration this year.
Pride on 39th, a parade and block party celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, is set for June 21-23. Organizers expect at least 85,000 people will attend.
For years, the festival has been organized by OKC Pride Inc. But after its former president was charged with embezzlement in September — accused of stealing from the group — some worried the longtime tradition might not return this summer.
Then the 39th Street District decided to take the helm.
“A city that has a great LGBTQ community is a thriving city,” said Lauren Zuniga, 39th Street District director. “It’s good for the economy, it’s good for everyone.
“What I see is that OKC Pride is going through some restructuring. That’s why we’re offering our help. We would like to take a leadership role in the same ways the Plaza District and Paseo present their festivals.”
Pride on 39th is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the area of bars and other businesses known as The Strip, she said. The district already has been approved for improvements as part of the Better Streets, Safer City initiative.
Zuniga said support from Mayor David Holt and other civic leaders played a key role in the 39th Street District’s decision to arrange Pride festivities.
“It is very common in our city for district associations to host the major events that occur on their streets,” Holt said. “It’s an event that has a lot of potential for our city.
“I’ve been really impressed with the work that the 39th Street District Association is doing. I truly believe they’ll do a great job.”
Historic occasion
Pride will be especially symbolic this year because it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, Zuniga said. The demonstrations often are cited as the birth of the LGBTQ rights movement.
Zuniga said the historic occasion signifies how important Pride celebrations and other safe spaces are for Oklahomans like she and her daughter, who are both queer-identifying.
“Thinking of her and her teenage friends not having a Pride to go to in the summer just breaks my heart,” Zuniga said. “I couldn’t let that happen.”
Posts on the OKC Pride Facebook page suggest it may still be planning its own activities. The nonprofit did not respond to repeated requests for comment.