Last Saturday’s Greenbelt Emerald City Pride events kicked off with a morning Pride Parade. At the Spellman Overpass, members of the Greenbelt Honk! Situation made sure their instruments were in tune, and supportive families sporting LGBTQIA+ Pride flags and local political leaders came together. With over 100 people assembled around 11:30 a.m., the event organizers and politicians gave some final remarks. Carla Gordon thanked everyone for showing up and keeping the spirit of Ric Gordon alive. State Senator Alonzo Washington joined her, saying that the swell of people present is proof that the impact of the late city councilmember is still present in the community, as he was a major force behind the annual event. State Delegate Nicole Williams was happy to see Pride being celebrated here, along with many other cities across Maryland. State Delegate Ashanti Martinez spoke to how heartening this event was for him, as the first openly LGBTQIA+ delegate to represent Prince George’s County in the General Assembly. Mayor Emmett Jordan gave thanks on behalf of the Greenbelt City Council for the amount of effort that went into running the event.
Around 11:40 a.m., the parade began its procession down Gardenway with music, flags, banners, streamers, costumes and bubbles. The full assembly was nearly half a block in length, dancing, singing and playing music as the group made its way to Roosevelt Center. The march was an opportunity for residents to show off their musical and crafting talents, and also to share their pride as a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual community. Drag performers handed out Pride stickers to the audience that formed to watch from the sidewalk and parents wore shirts showing their pride as parents of their LGBTQIA+ children.
Greenbelt Honk! Situation kept everyone in step with their eclectic mix of instruments, from traditional ones like drums, brass and woodwinds to the unconventional, like washboards and whisks. When the parade needed to slow down to keep everyone together, the band would change the tempo and dance in place. Everyone was spirited from the rhythm, motion and vibrancy as they made their way to the center of Historic Greenbelt.
As the parade reached Roosevelt Center, the paraders mixed with the crowd. Because spirits were so high, instead of wrapping up the Greenbelt Honk! Situation gave a musical encore.