On a beautiful Saturday in downtown Indianapolis, about 20 staff, friends and family representing Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) participated in the 2023 Indy Pride Parade presented by Delta Faucet.
The parade, which is part of the Indy Pride Festival, attracted thousands of supporters along Massachusetts Avenue on June 10. With about 140 parade entries, it is one of the city’s largest parades. The event dates to 2005 when it was only 15 minutes long.
The parade marked the first time the district’s Queer Affinity Group organized participation, attracting individuals from Central Services and from several schools, including George Washington, Arsenal Technical and Shortridge high schools.
The parade route stretched about a half mile on Mass Ave and lasted for two hours. There also were several new events featured, including Latinx Pride — an event celebrating the voguing ballroom scene — alongside Indiana Pride of Color, and an Indy Pride Youth Carnival.
John Chambers, project coordinator for the district’s Professional Learning Team, said the IPS group plans to make the march an annual tradition to celebrate Pride Month and support the district’s LGBTQIA+ staff and students.
“This was my first year marching during the Indy Pride Parade,” he said. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the sea of supporters lined up on both sides of the parade route to affirm and celebrate the IPS participants and others marching. I’ll never forget the joy, love, and support of what the Pride Parade means to me and so many others every year.”
