Range Iron Pride

Range Iron Pride is a 501c3 non-profit organization supporting those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people living in the Iron Range cities of Aurora, Biwabik, Britt, Buhl, Chisholm, Cook, Embarrass, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hoyt Lakes, Mt. Iron, Tower, Soudan, Virginia and surrounding townships. Our annual Pride festival is held in Virginia on the second Saturday of August each year. This year's festival will be on Saturday, August 10.

We strive for Equality, Diversity, Equity, Acceptance and Belonging on the Iron Range. 

In 1993, our state passed the Minnesota Human Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business based on protected class, such as: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Minnesota legalized same-sex marriage on August 1, 2013. The combination of these two events brought equality to many (but not all) in the LGBTQ community. 

 LGBTQ+ diversity is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit. The + represents people who identify as part of a diverse community but don't identify with one of these specific identities.   The term "Gay Pride" was claimed to be coined either by Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, or by Thom Higgins, all of whom were  gay rights activists in Minnesota. Over time, our community grew and matured to accept and welcome a broad understanding of LGBTQIA+2S lived experiences as parts of a greater whole. 

 LGBTQ people are a part of every community and culture, yet we have unique needs caused by interlocking manifestations of oppression. LGBTQ people are both differently and disproportionately impacted by systems of oppression. We need solutions that have us in mind and center the most marginalized among us, including:  Immigration,  Health Care, Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice, Law Enforcement, the Criminal Legal System, Economic Justice, Disability Justice to name a few. 

It is not just enough to be heard because we exist. We must be welcomed and accepted for who we are, just as others wish they can be. We need this without changing who we are to fit in.  

• “We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.” — Elliot Page
•  “Who you are is beautiful and amazing.” — Laverne Cox
•  “When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.” — Barack Obama

The ultimate goal is to feel like we are a part of a group, feel safe, comfortable and without fear of others in the community passing judgement on us because of how we identify or who we love. Feeling like we belong and not having to look over our shoulder out of a sense of guilt. Not having to apologize or code switch to maintain our position in our community.