Rachel Meng
Editorial Intern

   Wick Thomas, a Northeast resident and the Missouri House Representative for District 19, took on a different role for this year’s KC Pride Parade as the Honorary Grand Marshal. 

   Thomas is the first openly transgender grand marshal and elected official in the Missouri House. 

   The June 6 parade from Westport to Theis Park,  marked the 51st Pride celebration in Kansas City. The theme for the weekend was, “It’s All Ours,” which represented the LGBTQIA+ community’s impact in the city and all that has been created through pride. 

   “Our Pride. Our love. Our city. Everything we’ve built together and everything we’re still pushing forward,” posted by KC Pride. 

   In 2026 alone, 53 anti-trans bills were introduced in Missouri alone and many anti-LGBTQIA+ bills being passed nationwide, pride has become more rooted in its origins of protest. 

   “They’re trying to erase who we are,” said Amber Roberts, an attendee of the parade. “It is a celebration that we can love who we want when we want.”

A Pride Parade float with crowd members cheering as they move past. Photo by Rachel Meng

 Thomas was chosen for the position of Honorary Grand Marshal due to their work for the LGBTQIA+ community, co-founding the Equity Caucus and the EQUAL Trans support group, the first trans support group for youth in Kansas City. 

   After the parade, Thomas posted themself walking alongside Missouri’s Largest Pride Flag at 104 ft long, which was borrowed from JOMO Pridefest in Joplin, Missouri. 

   “[Pride is] freedom to be who you want to be. I think [Kansas City] is one of the best places [for pride],” said David Newman, an attendee of the parade. 

*Wick Thomas did not respond for comment