The largest city in Kentucky without a fairness ordinance will host its first pride festival later this month.
The October 21 event in Bowling Green will feature music, performances, and vendors, as well as a rally at city hall. The day will conclude with a pride crawl in the evening that will feature drink specials, live music, and drag performances at participating venues.
Chris Hartman heads the Fairness Campaign based in Louisville and says he commends local organizers for holding the inaugural event.
"It shows the resilience and bravery of the local community," Hartman told WKU Public Radio. "It is a bit of a risk to hold a pride festival in cities that don't have discrimination protections for LGBTQ people," he said.
LGBTQ advocates have worked behind the scenes for several years to garner support for a fairness ordinance in Bowling Green that would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
City Commissioner Slim Nash officially introduced a measure in February, which failed among city leaders.
© 2017 WKU Public Radio
