MOORHEAD — The local community is launching its PRIDE month activities with a significant historical presentation focused on the LGBTQ+ experience in the area. On August 5, 2024, at 18:30, retired North Dakota State University (NDSU) professor Larry Peterson will present “Celebrating Togetherness: Same-Sex Dancing in FM” at the Hjemkomst Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Peterson’s presentation aims to explore how LGBTQ+ individuals found safe havens in local bars and other venues during the late 20th century, a time when societal acceptance was limited. According to a press release from the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCSCC), Peterson’s research chronicles the history of same-sex dancing from 1975 until the closing of the I-Beam in 2011. He plans to share special musical selections that reflect the atmosphere of those dance venues, illustrating their significance to the LGBTQ+ community.
Community Advocacy and Historical Context
Retiring from NDSU in 2016, Peterson is now actively involved with the Red River Rainbow Seniors, an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, support, and social activities for the 50+ 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Red River Valley. He emphasizes the importance of dignity and respect for all individuals, reinforcing that everyone deserves to live authentically.
While this presentation is the only scheduled PRIDE event organized by the HCSCC, the organization is committed to highlighting the stories of all residents in Clay County. More information about additional PRIDE month events can be found at fmpride.org/events/.
Two years prior, the HCSCC launched the exhibit “At Last: 10th Anniversary of Marriage Equality in Minnesota,” which showcased the narratives of local couples who married on August 1, 2013, the date same-sex marriage was legalized in Minnesota. Although the physical exhibit is closed, an online version is accessible at www.hcscconline.org/atlast.
Support for LGBTQ+ Historical Documentation
The HCSCC has also collaborated with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) to document LGBTQ+ spaces in Moorhead and surrounding areas. This initiative is presented through an interactive story map available at storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ff9c23776f1d4b729caac2d034f2a09f. Recent funding from MNHS in the form of small grants will enable the HCSCC to continue its important work. The organization was awarded $9,500 to hire a historian who will conduct research on LGBTQIA+ history in Moorhead.
Additionally, a grant of $7,000 will facilitate up to 20 oral history interviews related to the legacy of Gladys Ray, a prominent Minnesota Native American community activist. A further $10,000 grant will assist in organizing museum collections to enhance community access to historical materials. These grants are funded through the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, which supports initiatives preserving Minnesota’s cultural heritage.
As Pride Month unfolds, local events like Peterson’s presentation serve not only to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but also to foster understanding and recognition of its history. The HCSCC remains dedicated to documenting and sharing these invaluable stories for future generations.
