Frogs, Fractures, and Finding Our Way Back

Frogs are remarkable creatures. They live between worlds: water and land, tadpole and adult, camouflage and bright warning colors. They remind us that transformation is not just possible, but natural.

So it’s always jarring when, in a space meant to celebrate transformation and diversity, someone decides certain changes are too much. Recently, a fellow LGBTQIA+ community member publicly declared they no longer “support the T” -- rejecting transgender people from the acronym, and by extension, from the community.

The Pain of Being Pushed Out From Within

For many trans people, the LGBTQIA+ umbrella is supposed to be a shelter from the storm; a place where difference is not just tolerated but celebrated. When exclusion comes from inside that shelter, it cuts deeper than outside prejudice.

It says: You belong here… but only if you fit my idea of what queerness should be. It says: Your journey, your body, your truth -- they make me uncomfortable, so I will erase them.

This isn’t just rhetoric. It has real consequences:

• Isolation: Trans people may feel unsafe or unwelcome at events that are supposed to be for everyone.
• Erosion of solidarity: The “divide and conquer” tactic has long been used against marginalized groups; internal division makes us all more vulnerable.
• Loss of history: Trans people have been at the forefront of queer liberation movements for decades. To deny them is to rewrite our shared story.

Metamorphosis Without Permission

Frogs don’t apologize for their metamorphosis. They don’t ask the pond’s permission to grow legs. They don’t stop mid-change because another frog says, “That’s not how a real frog should look.”

In the same way, trans people’s journeys are not up for debate. They are living, breathing proof that identity is not static -- and that authenticity often requires courage in the face of misunderstanding.

Rebuilding Trust and Solidarity

If we want a community that truly lives up to the promise of LGBTQIA+, we have to:

• Name the harm: Silence in the face of exclusion is complicity. We thoroughly applaud the community members who called out the poor behavior of someone we believed supported us.
• Center trans voices: Especially in conversations about policy, safety, and representation. Help strengthen the volume of trans voices by giving to the Fund for Trans Generations, or supporting St. Joe Pride's transgender board membership and local transgender community members.
• Educate with empathy: Some exclusion comes from ignorance, not malice; patient, persistent truth-telling can shift hearts. Learn more about the issues facing transgender people from the Transgender Law Center.
• Celebrate transformation: Not just as a metaphor, but as a lived reality for many in our community.

Lessons from the Pond: What Frogs Teach Us About Belonging

The “T” in LGBTQIA+ is not optional. It is not a footnote. It is a vital part of our shared ecosystem. Like frogs, trans people remind us that change is beautiful, survival is possible, and diversity is our strength. The trans community is already under extraordinary pressure from without, there is no excuse for our trans members to feel threatened from within our own community.

If we can learn from the frog -- to embrace transformation without fear -- we might just find our way back to the kind of community where everyone can thrive. St. Joe Pride recognizes our transgender community. You are seen. You are heard. You are welcome!

From Church Lawn to Citywide Celebration: A Brief History of St. Joe Pride

We had an amazing time hosting Pridefest at Civic Center Park this year. St. Joe Pride has ensured that our Pridefest is free to the public and family friendly ever since our first festival in 2013. 

In 2013, a small but determined group of LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered on the lawn of Zion United Church of Christ in St. Joseph, Missouri. Hosted by the church’s Gay-Straight Christian Fellowship, the event, called St. Joe Pridefest, was the first public Pride celebration in the city’s history.  

It was a bold step in a region where LGBTQ+ visibility had long been limited. The inaugural festival offered music, food, and fellowship, but more importantly, it created a safe and affirming space for people to be themselves. For many attendees, it was the first time they had seen their identities celebrated openly in their own hometown.

The Birth of the Midland Empire Equality Coalition

In the years that followed, the need for a year-round advocacy and organizing body became clear. Out of that need, the Midland Empire Equality Coalition (MEEC) was formed. Registered with the Missouri Secretary of State, MEEC became the official nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity behind St. Joe Pride, giving the movement a formal structure to grow its mission.

From the start, MEEC’s goals went beyond hosting an annual festival. The organization sought to:  

• Promote equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people in northwest Missouri and the surrounding region  
• Provide education and resources to combat discrimination  
• Build partnerships with local businesses, faith communities, and civic leaders  
• Create spaces, both physical and cultural, where queer joy could thrive  

Pridefest Grows with the Community

As MEEC took the reins, Pridefest expanded in scope and visibility. What began as a church-hosted gathering evolved into a citywide celebration, drawing attendees from across the region.  

Over the years, Pridefest has featured:  

• Live music, drag performances, and family-friendly entertainment  
• Vendor booths showcasing local artists, nonprofits, and affirming businesses  
• Educational programming on LGBTQ+ history, health, and rights  
• Memorials honoring those lost to violence, discrimination, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic  

Each year’s festival has reflected both the resilience of the local LGBTQ+ community and the growing support from allies.  

Beyond the Festival: Advocacy and Action

While Pridefest remains MEEC’s flagship event, the organization’s work extends far beyond a single weekend. MEEC has:  

• Partnered with youth organizations, such as STAR Kids, to promote safe and inclusive environments
• Granted scholarships to LGBTQIA+ students
• Hosted community events, film screenings, and educational workshops  
• Supported queer artists, performers, and small business owners
• Given annually to AFL-CIO Community Services' Adopt-A-Family Christmas program

This year-round presence has helped ensure that Pride in St. Joseph is not just an event, it’s a movement.

A New Era of Visibility

In recent years, St. Joe Pride has continued to innovate. The introduction of the St. Joe Pride Pageant, produced by Bianca Bliss, brought a new platform for performers and community leaders to shine, blending artistry with advocacy.  

The festival has also embraced intersectionality, highlighting the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups within the queer community.  

Looking Ahead

From its beginnings on a church lawn to its current role as a cornerstone of St. Joseph’s cultural calendar, St. Joe Pride’s journey reflects the courage, creativity, and compassion of the people who built it.  

The Midland Empire Equality Coalition remains committed to its founding vision: a community where everyone -- regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression -- can live openly, safely, and with pride.  

As the movement enters its second decade, one thing is clear: Pride in St. Joseph is here to stay, and its story is still being written.

For more information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or how to support St. Joe Pride, visit www.saintjoepride.org.

Thank You, St. Joe!

Pridefest 2025 Was Our Boldest Celebration Yet

The Arsonists and Pyro Flow

This year, St. Joe Pridefest took a powerful step forward—expanding into Civic Center Park and welcoming hundreds to a weekend of queer joy, community connection, and unapologetic celebration. The move to a larger venue just blocks from our previous home gave us room to grow, and grow we did.

Friday night opened with energy and elegance.

Heather Fellas courtesy The Creepy Photo Box

Live Entertainment from Kansas City brought the stage to life with performances by Tajma Stetson, Daisy Bucket, Heather Fellas, Rozz Smith, Regina Del Carmen, and Infinity The Drag Queen. The evening culminated in a dazzling drag show hosted by Vivian Versace and Loreal, featuring Freddy Mac Uchawi and our newly crowned Miss, Mr., and Mx St. Joe Pride.

Saturday was a full-day celebration of visibility and vitality.

The parade and opening ceremony, led by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, set the tone for an afternoon of music, movement, and magic. Black Bleeds Through returned to the stage with their signature sound, followed by local entertainment and a second round of drag brilliance hosted by Clint Toris Bliss and Reina Rose. Performers Sheila Tacku Ex, Cherry Darling, Diva Devine, Himbo Shaggins, and Imani Altair brought charisma and heart to the crowd.

As the sun set, the festival kept glowing.

Blacksnake Belly Dance Circle and Tim Leland offered rhythm and reflection, leading into a fiery finale from The Arsonists and Pyro Flow. The night closed with a final drag showcase hosted by Bianca Bliss and Kyla Breeze, featuring Zanny Ex Uchawi, Southern Hell, Reina Rose, and Eli Adin Shawn.

Community Powered, Community Proud

We’re deeply grateful to every sponsor, vendor, volunteer, performer, and attendee who showed up with heart, creativity, and purpose. From the first booth setup to the final spotlight, your presence helped transform Civic Center Park into a vibrant hub of connection, celebration, and support—a space where everyone could feel seen, safe, and celebrated.

Featured partners included:

• CLARIOS – supporting Pride in our local community
• The Arsonists – bringing the sound and fire to our main stage
• Black Bleeds Through –  returning to the stage with raw energy and powerful sound
• First Christian Church of Saint Joseph – a proud faith-based ally
• Northwest Health Services – providing free HIV testing and wellness outreach
• St. Joe Therapist – long time supporter, offering affirming mental health resources
• Rainbow Coalition: Queer & Allies – building bridges across identities
• Eskildsen Creative Works – showcasing 3D printing and creative tech
• Peaceful Point – inviting calm and reflection into the festival space
• Diva-licious – celebrating self-expression
• Cat Designs Jewelry & More, Rainbow Lane Crochet, and King B Pickles – adding sparkle, color, and flavor to our vendor village
• Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival – blending history and queerness with flair
• Radio Joe and Jon McClain Music, LLC – amplifying local voices and sounds

These partners didn’t just set up booths—they helped build a space where everyone could feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Pridefest 2025 was more than a party. It was a promise—that queer people in Saint Joseph will continue to thrive, organize, and uplift one another. Thank you for being part of this movement. We’ll see you next year.