JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WHAS11) -- Pride is spreading across the Ohio River. One week after the huge Kentuckiana Pride Parade and Festival in Louisville, the City of Jeffersonville is hosting its very own celebration.
“Do not give up. Never let somebody tell you that you can't do something,” said Evan Stoner.
Those inspirational words came from 18-year-old Evan Stoner, the founder of the Jeffersonville Pride Festival. The event is happening Saturday, but it was merely a thought 365 days ago.
“It doesn't feel real when I say Jeffersonville Pride is tomorrow because I've seen this festival grow from just an idea to an entire movement in Jeffersonville,” said Stoner.
Stoner grew up in Jeffersonville where he said there is still a lot of discrimination. He said although the Kentuckiana Pride Festival, which is held annually in Louisville, includes Southern Indiana, his side of the river needs its own event.
“This is Jeffersonville's and really Southern Indiana's very first step at proving that we are a loving, a welcoming, accepting community,” said Stoner.
Jeffersonville's Inaugural Pride Festival grew out of a cyber bullying incident. Stoner said a Jeffersonville High School student sent a series of derogatory, hateful Tweets, insulting gay people and others in the LGBT community one year ago. It was a message far from the one he has received recently from neighbors. Stoner said the community support has been overwhelming and sometimes it feels like a dream, but when he sees signs for his event in local shop windows, he knows his dream is a reality.
“It's really incredible when you're walking in the community, like down Spring Street and there's a business that has Pride 2016 in big letters in their window,” said Stoner.
Stoner and his team worked with the Jeffersonville Police Department and Mayor Mike Moore to make sure the event is safe and secure.
There will be a memorial on the main stage to honor the victims of the Orlando night club shooting.
Stoner said he knows there is still a lot of work to be done but his event is a small victory in the large, ongoing fight against hate.
“There is still a lot of prejudice, Jeffersonville Pride is about having pride in everybody, it's not just for the LGBT community, it's for everybody to have confidence in themselves,” said Stoner.
The event is free and kicks off at noon on Saturday with a parade in downtown Jeffersonville. The parade heads down Spring Street and ends at Big Four Station where the festival will start immediately after with vendors, food and entertainment.