Louisville woman participates in Pride Parade to inspire others

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since 2001, the Kentuckiana Pride Festival took place in Louisville and soon after in 2004 the Kentuckiana Pride Parade began. This weekend, the parade and festival returned to Louisville and organizers enjoyed one of their largest gatherings yet.

Supporters and allies of the LGBTQ community like Donna Mulkins gather for the annual Kentucky Pride Festival.

“I actually had a really accepting community, I came out and was accepted and I want everyone to feel like that to have that kind of support,” Mulkins said.

Since 2015, Mulkins has been walking with his workplace, Brown-Forman in the pride parade. This year’s parade is a little different, as organizers saw their biggest crowd yet with nearly 10,000 people marching just in the parade.

“Oh my God, that’s amazing,” Mulkins said. “Everyone just came together, and it’s amazing to see all that energy.”

Speaking of energy, Mulkins makes sure she brings her most authentic self every year.

“I’m not sorry for who I am and it’s okay to be yourself and it’s okay to just be who you are and know that there are people who accept you for who you are” , Mulkins said.

Something she hopes to inspire others.

“It means having the freedom to be who I am, no hiding places, no excuses, just accepting who I am and knowing that people around me at work, at home, everywhere around me accept me for who I am,” Mulkins said.

Louisville City FC also hosted a Pride Night at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday in honor of Pride Month.