The First Rural Pride in America.
Pioneering Rural Pride.
What began in Pine City in 2005 sparked the rural Pride movement.
A Pioneer of Rural Pride in America
Driven by a commitment to equality, understanding, and building a welcoming space for all.
🌲 Pioneering Spirit
East Central Minnesota Pride broke new ground as the first rural Pride celebration, proving that visibility and community belong everywhere — including small towns.
🌲 Inclusive Regional Focus
Serving Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs counties, East Central Minnesota Pride brings visibility, celebration, and connection to the heart of rural Minnesota.
🌲 Community Connection
Working closely with local communities, the organization fosters understanding, strengthens connections, and creates a welcoming environment for all.
🌲 Celebrating Diversity
East Central Minnesota Pride celebrates the many identities, stories, and experiences that make up the LGBTQ+ community.
🌲 Empowering Rural Resilience
East Central Minnesota Pride strengthens the rural LGBTQ+ community by providing visibility, support, and opportunities to connect.
🌲 Pride Finds a Home in Pine City
At the crossroads of East Central Minnesota, Pine City offers an accessible gathering place for communities across the region. Over the years, the town has shown a welcoming spirit.
“Small-town pride events are the ones that create the change. It’s easy to blend in with 500,000 of your friends at the Twin Cities pride festival and another to be one of 500 in Pine City. That takes a good deal of courage.”
-Don Quaintance, Veteran, Pride organizer since 2005.
East Central Minnesota Pride 