Des Moines People's Pride fostering queer community 'away from cops and corporations'

DES MOINES, Iowa — Pride Month festivities are ongoing through the end of June, and this weekend, Des Moines People's Pride will return for its second year.

Leah Plath, founder and organizer of Des Moines People's Pride, started the event in 2023 after drawing inspiration from Minneapolis People's Pride .

"I had kind of been dreamscraping of a new event in Des Moines, where it was more focused on local vendors and local performers, away from cops and corporations," Plath said. "And I really wanted to see an event that was more indicative of the queer community that me and my friends are around day to day."

The goal of Des Moines People's Pride's is to create a safe space for queer and trans people to celebrate amongst themselves.

Apple Jackson, another event organizer, cited the historically fraught relationship between police and the LGBTQ+ community as a motivating factor behind the event's mission. In addition, Jackson noted the importance of supporting fellow queer community members at Pride events, rather than large companies.

"When it comes to having an event like Pride, which is about celebrating queer joy, resistance, survival ... it's really, really important to highlight and keep that emphasis, that money, that energy, that support with the folks who are within our community," Jackson said.

The event last year was a resounding success, and 2024 is shaping up to be even better.

This year, Des Moines People's Pride will feature nearly 50 local vendors, free food from Hey Schweetie , drag performances, musical acts, free mocktails and a book exchange. In addition, 2024 will have new events and activities such as a queer elders panel and speed dating.

Ultimately, the event serves as a time for queer and trans people to connect with their community to find support, belonging and empowerment. As Plath says, "Community is everything."

"I hope that folks ultimately leave feeling a sense of community," Jackson added. "I hope they leave with new connections. I hope they leave seeing the capacity that they have to create what they want to see."

In a time when many LGBTQ+ community members may feel unrepresented in Iowa , Plath also hopes Des Moines People's Pride serves as a reminder that queer joy persists, despite outside forces.

"We have always been here," Plath said. "These events are so important because we haven't gone anywhere. We've always been here. There's no erasing queer or trans people."

Des Moines People's Pride will take place at Des Moines Water Works Park on Saturday, June 15 from 12-5 p.m. Admission is free and masks are required. For more information, click here.