In addition to the marching bands, Chinese lion dancers and the fastest oyster shucker in Virginia, members of Hampton Roads Pride will represent coastal Virginia’s LGBTQ community as they proudly march in Governor-elect Ralph Northam’s Inaugural Parade Saturday afternoon in Richmond.
Hampton Roads Pride is the only LGBTQ pride organization marching in the parade and will join Equality Virginia in representing Virginia’s LGBTQ community, reflecting “The Way Ahead”, the theme of Governor-elect Northam’s Inauguration and his commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Fawn Faulks, President of Hampton Roads Pride will be marching in the parade and said in a statement that “Hampton Roads Pride sees this as an honor and privilege to have been asked to march in the Northam Inaugural Parade – not just because we are representing the LGBTQ community but Hampton Roads.”
Ms. Faulks continued to say that “Hampton Roads Pride continues to ensure inclusion, dignity and equality of all people. We exist to empower all LGBTQ and allied people. We encourage them to stand as unique individuals and together as a community with creative, social, economic and influential force.”
As a native of the Eastern Shore and resident of Norfolk, Governor-elect Northam has strong ties to Hampton Roads and many in the area have been active in his election, transition and inauguration planning. Norfolk businessman and LGBTQ leader Claus Ihlemann, is serving as one of Northam’s Inaugural Committee Co-Chairs of the event. In addition to Hampton Roads Pride, other area groups slated to participate in the parade include Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
If you are interested in traveling to Richmond for the swearing in (tickets are required for seating) and parade, the Inaugural Parade will start immediately following the swearing-in ceremony which starts at noon Saturday. The parade will move east from Grace Street and will circumnavigate Capitol Square. The Inaugural Parade is free and open to the public, and tickets are not required.
Following the parade, the Executive Mansion will be made available for an Open House from 2-4 p.m. For more information about this weekend’s activities, visit the official inauguration website HERE.
If you attend any/all of the weekend’s festivities in Richmond, let us know your experiences and share photos with OutWire757 on social media or email to us at editor@outwire757.com.
