Oshkosh Pride brings over 1400 to Oshkosh Arena

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— Oshkosh Pride brought over 1,400 people to the Oshkosh Arena on Sunday to dance with drag queens and kings, see live entertainment and to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. 

One of the Oshkosh Pride organizers TJ Hobbs said celebrations like Pride mean a great deal to the mental health of the youth and adults in the community.

Why Oshkosh Pride is important

“Pride is so important for us to get together and celebrate not just once a year, but all year round. Our community is all we have,” Hobbs said. “We have so much in our community at the same time. Build your mutual aid networks; stay connected to your friends and family. Look out for each other. Reach out to each other. 

“And tonight was just one big example of the entire city of Oshkosh’s surrounding areas coming together to say, we love you. If you’re LGBTQIA2S+, we love you for who you are. That message needs to be heard by children throughout the state and around the country right now. As well as young adults and adults of all ages.”

Kat and the Hurricane were the headliners at the Oshkosh Pride celebration. Kat Rhapsody said the all-queer and trans band is honored to participate in Pride celebrations. 

“We want to be the representation that we needed when we were kids because queer, trans kids right now in this moment need positive adult figures to look up to, to show them that they can also grow into healthy, happy, queer and trans adults,” Rhapsody said. “So that’s why we get on stage. And we preach the good preaching of, you can do this too. You can be an adult, queer person in this world. You deserve love and safety. 

“And also, if you ever have a chance to start a band with your friends, start a band with your friends.

Pride moved from the Leach Amphitheatre to avoid the high head indices and in preparation for the predicted severe thunderstorms, which did, in fact, materialize.