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Jennifer and Brent Cejda sat across from the Nebraska State Capitol Saturday morning with their dog Otis, in prime view to see floats from Lincoln’s first annual pride parade turn onto K street and in front of the Capitol building.
“Part of the reason is we have a trans daughter, said Mrs. Cejda.” We're very proud of her and we feel like everybody deserves equal rights no matter who they are and who they love.”
The Cejdas say their daughter came out to them after graduating college, a moment they remember with pride as they watched her become her true self.
“Realizing the courage that these individuals show to live their true lives on a day-to-day basis, regardless of what a segment of society thinks about them, is just really, truly amazing,” said Mr. Cejda.
As the parade progressed, watchers celebrated as everything from drag queens, to motorcycles, to giant inflatable flamingos crossed K Street.
The event was organized by volunteer members of non-profit Star City Pride.
Vice President Dan Huntley says the historic event was supposed to happen last year, but better late than never.
“It’s an honor to be able to for the kind of work that we do,” says Huntly. “Pride is important for so many different people for so many different reasons -that without a pride it would be, you know, a terrible void.”
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said the event is an achievement that marks Lincoln as a city that welcomes all types of people.
“This is a city that just is welcoming, welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” said Gaylor Baird, “and this is a wonderful way to celebrate and say that everybody belongs in Lincoln."