By Aniaya Reed and EllieAna Hale

June 2, 2022 marks the historic date of Kansas City’s PRIDE flag raising over City Hall during Pride Month. Pride flags are now flying above City Hall and the downtown Jackson County Courthouse, giving the LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to be represented and recognized in the diverse city. 

“Making sure people are recognized and respected is the most important thing a city can do,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “Kansas City has been a crossroads for individuals from all walks of life and we want to ensure that we are accepting and welcome.”

Kansas City received a perfect score for LGBTQ equality from the Human Rights Campaign, which is the highest possible ranking on the Municipal Equality Index. 

The City’s LGBTQ+ Commission discussed the policies they should have to support, represent and cater to people who identify within that community. This year’s Kansas City Pride Parade and Festival will be held June 10 through 12 at Frank A. Theis Park. Visit kcpridealliance.org/pride-2022 for more information.

“Pride is about having more visibility and more empowerment,” said Justice Horn, candidate for Jackson County District 1 Legislator. “Pride is 365 days of the year. We are important outside of June.”

Additionally, last year, the City of Kansas City passed an ordinance to provide all-gender restrooms at City facilities to become more inclusive and accepting toward the LGBTQ+ community. 

“Open up your mind and your hearts to something different from the perspective that you know,” Lucas said. “A lot of us idealize that way that we were brought up. To the contrary, we should be asking ourselves, what can I learn from someone? What can I do that is in some way different?”

Kansas City also created a resource group for City employees called KC Proud, which helps employees that identify in the LGBTQ+ community find jobs, shelter and other tools that will help them live a life of joy. 

KC Proud members, City officials and the LGBTQ Commission members will attend the Saturday, June 11 parade from Westport to Pridefest, which is being held at Theis Park, Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Oak Street. 

Kansas City is one of the leading cities to take initiative to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion in city government, and other activities and events designed to support the LGBTQ+ community and businesses.