PHOENIX — Celebrating pride, love, and the community uniting against hate, on Sunday, thousands of people lined the streets of Phoenix for the 2023 Phoenix Pride Parade.
Around 2,000 people came to participate while thousands more to watch, dressing up, waving flags, fans, and balloons.
“We’re out in the community,” said Jonathan Lopez, with the LGBTI Plus Employee Resource Group from Mayo Clinic. “We’re here to support our colleagues, our friends, our family and that we do amazing work every single day.”
“There’s a lot of sadness out there,” said Lopez’ colleague Jewel Kling. “…and you look around here and you don’t see that, you see love and inclusion.”
And your 12News family marched in the parade too.
“In 2023, with what we see happening in the world right now, now more than ever, we need to, when we have opportunities, to present and show love, and tolerance, that’s why we’re here,” said 12News anchor Mark Curtis.
The theme this year was “United Against Hate.”
“I love it, it just brings our community together and really spires the pride community in Arizona, to get together, be yourself, be outside and have fun,” said Laura Carter, a paradegoer who has participated and attended the parade in years past.
Organizers from the Phoenix Pride organization, like Jeremy Helfgot, say this event is significant.
“This is an event over 40 years in the making,” he said.
He said it celebrates LGBTQ Plus life, culture, and community.
“Pride as a movement is critical,” said Helfgot. “I’m an ally... I don’t represent as LGBTQ Plus, but this is a movement I’ve been connected to for more than 30 years, because at the end of the day, we are all human beings, we all deserve the same respect.”
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.