2022 Pride Planning Committee
Allie Martin
Allie Martin
Allie Martin
She/Her/They/Them
"Pride is not being afraid to be yourself! We’re all super cool and shouldn’t be afraid to show that to everyone!"
Danny Tovar
Allie Martin
Allie Martin
He/Him/His
"A time to celebrate life and be happy in your skin. "
Edgar Meyer
Allie Martin
Jacob Thomas
He/Him/His
"Pride is the state of existence by which one who is affirmed and empowered in their own identity and dignity has the courage to uphold and protect the rights of others to portray their own identity and dignity, even in the face of opposition from antagonistic people or forces who would do emotional, spiritual, and/or physical harm."
Jacob Thomas
Jacob Thomas
Jacob Thomas
He/Him/She/Her
"An opportunity for the community to come together as a family and be unabashedly ourselves."
Julie Craft
Jacob Thomas
Julie Craft
She/Her/Hers
Kathy Clem
Jacob Thomas
Julie Craft
She/Her/Hers
"Offering the community an opportunity to be who they are without judgment."
Kim Lewis
Mark Payton
Mark Payton
She/Her/Hers
"Pride is the sense of doing what is right. Supporting, loving, and uplifting others. Leading by example, living with empathy, and being intentional in how you make a difference in your community. And most importantly, to use your voice as an ally for those that often go unheard."
Mark Payton
Mark Payton
Mark Payton
He/Him/His
"Pride means creating a safe space for the LGBT community, specifically LGBT youth and POC. Pride also means giving yourself permission to live your life authentically and safely. "
Max Martin
Mark Payton
Merry Barnes
She/Her/They/Them
"Pride is a growing sense of self and to make a better place for the next generations to come."
Merry Barnes
Merry Barnes
Merry Barnes
She/Her/Hers
"To me, pride means being your authentic self. Learning how to show the world your true colors, and speaking up for people who can’t find their voice."
Richard Mack
Merry Barnes
Richard Mack
He/Him/His
"Everything/ I’m Free"
Robin Carter
Merry Barnes
Richard Mack
She/Her/Hers
"So much! I am the mother of a gay son that lives in CA. I am so proud of him and all he went through to get where he is. I think MS has a ways to go to be accepting and I would love to be a part of the history that will make this happen."
Robin McGehee
Sharon Alicia Simmons
Sharon Alicia Simmons
She/Her/Hers
Sharon Alicia Simmons
Sharon Alicia Simmons
Sharon Alicia Simmons
She/Her/Hers
"Freedom to just be who you are and do what you love"
Sherry Cothren
Sharon Alicia Simmons
Sherry Cothren
She/Her/Hers
"Being proud of who you are and being proud of all you stand for. Working for and with the community Tackling issues, Celebrating diversity."
Stan Nichols
Topher Thomas
Sherry Cothren
He/Him/His
"It’s a chance not only to celebrate us as a community, but to show the general public who we are and what we are about. It’s also a chance for us to see just how supported we actually are by our ally’s."
Topher Thomas
Topher Thomas
Topher Thomas
He/Him/His
"Pride means living free for all to see. Being authentically yourself and owning who you are with out no regrets."
Wiley Smith
Topher Thomas
Topher Thomas
He/Him/His
"Pride means community. I hope to bring together all Mississippians into a safe space for a moment of community and togetherness. Spreading kindness and not hate amongst this beautiful Magnolia state."
Will Parish
Will Parish
Will Parish
He/Him/His
"Community, finding friends and support"