Filled with rainbow flags and dotted by clever signs and placards, the streets of downtown Seattle will be a spectacular show of color-filled solidarity on the last Sunday in June. “Pride Beyond Borders” takes center stage as theme for Seattle’s 44thannual Pride Parade 2018 on June 24.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church is joining the pride celebration by scheduling this coming Sunday, June 3 at the church, 23855 SE 216rh in Maple Valley, to design and create placards and flags. They will then join Maple Valley residents and surrounding community members at the scheduled Seattle Pride Parade on June 24 for walking our talk. A mission of the ELCA synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), is stated: “We march in hope and joy, making a public statement of God’s love for all people no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.” SVLC joins the 2½ hour Pride Parade, beginning at 11:00 a.m., along with hundreds of participants and thousands of Seattleites and allies.
The parade theme, “Pride Beyond Borders,” was detailed by the Seattle organizers who issued the following statement: “A border is a line that separates geographic or political areas. Borders can also represent a historical divide between cultural or linguistic lineages. Our theme, Pride Beyond Borders, recognizes that intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ community. It celebrates our differences and our places of origin. It is also a reminder that there is still work to be done to keep LGBTQ+ individuals safe from discrimination and violence, regardless of the borders that surround them.
“We believe in fostering goodwill and friendly relationships across borders. We believe in coming together, as a global community, to share solutions to the world’s problems. That is the message behind this year’s parade theme, and that is our vision for Pride Beyond Borders.”
Beginning 11:00 a.m., “Pride Beyond Borders” route is along 4thAvenue at Union Street and runs north alongside Fourth Avenue to Denny Way. The walk takes approximately 2 ½ hours and ends near Seattle Center. Carpooling to accommodate parking for “multitudes” of participants is advisable. Additional information can be found at https:www.seattlepride.org/events/parade/.
