Orange City, Iowa — Arguably one of the most conservative communities in the state will be hosting its first-ever Pride Festival this weekend.
Organizer Michael Goll lives in Orange City, with his husband. Goll admits this event is shaking things up a bit but he says it’s important to build support within and around Orange City’s LGBTQ residents.
Orange City is the seat of staunchly conservative Sioux County and is home to Northwestern College, a Christian liberal arts school. Goll is a Northwestern graduate and says organizers decided to celebrate the community’s LGBTQ culture because, as Goll says, “Why not?”
Goll adds it’s vital to demonstrate that LGBTQ people in Orange City contribute to the community and are everyone’s neighbors. The event begins Friday and includes live music, storytelling and food. It goes through Sunday, when it will conclude with brunch and show tunes.
