“We’re also here to help educate and you know to answer any questions anybody has. “We’re here to offer a safe haven to the queer community,” Cutright explained. Cutright explained that Morgantown Pride gives the community a place to feel safe, while also being a resource for anyone who wants to educate themselves on current issues the community is facing. Pride month is often known as a good opportunity to acknowledge what progress and contributions that the queer community has made throughout the country. “We struggled, we been hurt, we’ve had members from our community killed that’s what’s also going on in the black community. This bill would address and protect us from.” Public accommodations, school anti bullying, education, transgender health care, anti-conversion therapy. “We do not have a law that addresses hate crimes in the state, based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Morgantown Pride’s President Ash Cutright explained that they started the organization because there wasn’t anything in town for. Here in North Central West Virginia, Morgantown Pride was formed nearly a year and a half ago, and has grown rapidly ever since. Because the reality of it is there is still a lot of injustices that still happens to the queer community,” said Cutright. The first anniversary of the protests prompted the first gay pride parade in 1970. “I urge people to celebrate that progress but also don’t lose track of what we have to keep fighting for.
Cutright explained that they are glad to see the ruling, but that doesn’t mean the work is done and there is still a long way to do in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled on June 15 that it is illegal to fire anyone on the basis of being gay or transgender. “And just really participate and they do, and we welcome that.” We really want to have a place where people can come and be comfortable and feel safe,” said Morgantown City Council member, Bill Kawecki. On June 2, Morgantown City Council signed a proclamation to officially pronounce June 2020 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Morgantown. Last September, a Pride crosswalk was installed on the corner of Green Street and White Avenue in the South Park community.
Morgantown City officials are also supporting the growing community. They have other LGBTQ people here in the community that they can bond with.” “Everyone knows they have a safe place to go. “We wanted something that was community based for those that are not associated with WVU,” Cutright detailed. They explained that after the initial conversation in February 2019 Cutright and Lamadore worked to plan the first Pride block party the following April. Cutright wanted to make sure the sense of community and family was in Morgantown for LGBTQIA+ individuals.