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Seattle Pride Parade back again after two pandemic years

Seattle Pride is back and in a big way.

Tens of thousands of people lined Fourth Avenue to welcome the Seattle Pride Parade back.

This is the first time since 2019 that the parade has been live and in person. But the heat proved troublesome for some.

Seattle Fire said it provided aid to two people near the parade route before the parade started. Both patients are in stable condition.

And you know just how special a day it was. So many people were just happy to be at a Pride Parade after two years of a pandemic.

It was clear from the start that the sights and sounds of Seattle Pride were back.

“I think it’s great,” said Lavada Holt, of Bothell, her head inside a homemade television, complete with animal ears. “This is the first year that I’ve actually seen the parade and I haven’t been ditched by my friends so I’m doing great.”

“Because I remember when I first got here, my hometown was, it was like ‘oh, my gosh, queer people. How dare they,’” said Karen Johnson, of Sumner. “Then I moved here and everyone’s like being more understanding. They’re like seeing it through my eyes. And I love it.”

So, it appears, does much of Seattle, including politicians like Bruce Harrell, who was at his first Pride Parade as mayor.

“It’s my first one as mayor,” Harrell confirmed. “Got good spirit and inspiration. And it’s very hot.”

Civil servants like Fire Chief Harold Scoggins were present too.

“Well the fire department’s part of the community,” said Chief Scoggins. “Today is all about community. And you can see community came out and this is the place where we should be.”

The business community, too.

“This is our hometown and our employees have been so sad the last couple of years not having pride,” said Jen Smith, T-Mobile senior director. “So, we’re thrilled to be back.”

At one point, there was a small scuffle near Westlake Park. But it ended quickly.

For organizers, coming as it is just days after the U. S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, this parade, which was billed as a family reunion, comes at a fraught time.

“Our rights are incredibly fragile anytime of the year, no matter what decision is passed,” said Krystal Marx, Seattle Pride executive director. “But this shows that it is crucial that we come together and are constantly vigilant because our rights can be taken at any time.”

Something not lost even in the bounty of color on this Pride Sunday. All in all, it was a day filled with Pride here in the Emerald City.