Indy Pride Festival 2023 takes place Saturday

The Indy Pride Festival returns to downtown Indianapolis Saturday. The annual event comes after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed multiple bills into law that target LGBTQ students and issues.

Indy Pride Festival 2023 will kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade will run along Massachusetts Ave from College Avenue to Delaware Street. Grand marshals for the parade are  Dance Kaleidoscope artistic director Dave Hochoy, who will be retiring after 30 years, and parents of transgender youth.

Indy Pride directory Shelly Snider says more than 20 Anti LGBTQ+ bills were introduced at the State House this legislative session.

“We are calling that the slate of hate,” Snider said. “And we know that now more than ever, it is important to support our LGBTQ+ Hoosiers, especially our trans family and friends. We are doing that partially by having some of our grand marshals of the families of our trans brothers and sisters and families and friends who testified at the Statehouse during this very difficult year.”

A new law will soon prohibit transgender youth under 18 from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and surgeries in the state. Another law will require schools to notify parents if their child requests a name or pronoun change at school.

Pride organizers opposed this and other legislation.

“Indiana should be a state that welcomes ALL people — not one where politicians attack LGBTQ Hoosiers to score political points,” the organization said during the General Assembly session.

This year’s festival will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Military Park, 601 W. New York Street. General admission is $10 and can be purchased online or in person. Live performances and activities will occur throughout the day.

Indy Pride is implementing a new bag policy this year. Bags must be clear and not exceed the size of a small wallet or clutch. Purses, handbags, backpacks, messenger bags and any other type of bag will not be allowed. Exceptions for medical bags and diaper bags may be made. All bags will be subject to inspection. More information can be found on the Indy Pride website.

Contact WFYI health reporter Darian Benson at dbenson@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @helloimdarian.