PRIDE Through Flowers
In June, we wear PRIDE! What is Pride a celebration of? For those of us who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, June is the month we celebrate our freedom to love who we love, to be and dress as we are. But why did PRIDE become a thing in the first place and what do flowers have to do with any of this?
It all started to culminate in June of 1969. Tensions were rising between the gay community and the police all over Northern America. In New York City, things came to a head as the police raided a popular gay bar, the Stonewall Inn. Many were senselessly beaten and arrested by police. On June 28th, 1969, the community decided to fight back. A series of violent confrontations happened that same night and is now known by Historians as the Stonewall Riots. This marked a pivotal turning point in gay activism.
One year later, this date was celebrated with a series of marches through New York to commemorate the day of the Stonewall Riots as well as demand equal rights. Flowers were carried by many protesters in order to show solidarity, love, and hope.
What about our local history of Pride marches, parades, and celebrations? Well, in 1974, just 5 years after the Stonewall Riots, a celebration in Seattle was organized that included a picnic and street dance at Pioneer’s Square. Around 200 people were in attendance. Pride was officially recognized by the city in 1977 and during the march that year- over 2,000 people were in attendance. Today, Seattle is one of the largest Pride Celebrations in the country with events taking place all month long!
LVF Floral was actually privileged to be able to contribute flowers to Seattle’s 50th Pride Celebration. Last year, LVF created a large floral display at one of the dance floors for Pride in the Park, the celebration that kicks off Pride Month! We built a large floral meadow with flowers sourced from local farms, a lot of which was donated for this very memorable event. Jembe Farms in Sequim grew some gorgous hanging baskets planted in disco balls that hung from the stage. We built giant crepe paper flowers and took all day to install this fun, colorful design! It was amazing to watch everyone get excited about the piece and take flowers home with them!
For the Pride Parade, later on in the month, we set up a display making floral body art for parade goers to adorn themselves with while we listened to some of the original Pride Marchers tell their experiences at the very first Pride March back in 1974. We felt so privileged to be a part of such a monumental event!
What about here on the Olympic Peninsula?
Today, we join Port Townsend, Sequim, and Port Angeles Pride events which gain more and more traction and attention each year. It’s a beautiful thing to see such a rural area show such love and solidarity with our ever growing queer community.
This year, Sequim will celebrate it’s 4th annual pride celebration with local businesses joining in the fun. Sisterland Farms in Port Angeles puts on a yearly sober pride picnic at B & B Lavender Farm with potluck, poetry readings, speakers, and so much more. Later in the month, Sequim celebrates Pride at the local Farmers Market, holds a ceremony with local speakers, the pride grand marshall, and it all culminates in the cutest Pride March through downtown Sequim! We are so proud of our sweetest town!
Port Angeles is holding Pride on the Pier, their 5th annual Pride Celebration and they seem to make it bigger and better each year!
Port Townsend saw it’s largest Pride event this year with tons of vendors, awesome music, fantastic outfits.
LVF no longer does markets. However, we will do a market for Pride, as it is at the cornerstone of who we are! Coming together as a community holds one of the deepest meanings to each of us personally.
We could not be prouder of our community continuing to show up for all of us, especially during these current times. And we feel so lucky to be able to use flowers in a way that honors our history and gives us continued hope for the future. We absolutely believe flowers bring so much joy to the lives of everyone. And what better way can we use these beauties to celebrate our very own community and honor our past!
Happy Pride Month!!!!
Are you queer or part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and have an upcoming event, wedding, or just interested in sending flowers to someone you love? Click the link below to fill out our inquiry form!