PHOTOS: West Seattle Pride March 2022, ‘for our youth’

(WSB photos)

More than 100 people, from kids to seniors, took a spirited walk along California Avenue SW this afternoon during the third annual West Seattle Pride March. Its founders, married couple Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, led the way after a short, emotional speech to the crowd:

Lovewell told the crowd, “We do this for our youth, first and foremost – they need our support, especially with what’s going on in our country” – a renewed attack on LGBTQIA+ rights. So the show of support matters more than ever.

Along the march route, from Morgan Junction Park north to California/Findlay, there were shows of allyship – from people standing along the sidewalk, to drivers honking their horns and cheering as they passed. One local church expressed its support by joining in the march.

A little whimsy along the way, too:

All this unfolded even as the city’s Pride Parade rolled through downtown, and amid the year’s hottest temperatures so far:

At the end of the route – the march segued into a celebration inside the air-conditioned event space that Lovwell and Colgan operate next to their businesses Youngstown Coffee Company and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café:

The music supported the day’s theme – songs like Madonna‘s “Respect Yourself.” Lovewell and Colgan founded the local Pride March shortly after taking over Youngstown in June 2020, reminding everyone then, as they did again this year, that “the first Pride was a protest, not a parade.”

6 Replies to "PHOTOS: West Seattle Pride March 2022, 'for our youth'"

  • Andrew June 26, 2022 (6:38 pm)

    Thank you Monica & Autumn!

  • WS Res June 26, 2022 (8:09 pm)

    This is beautiful, and true to the spirit of Pride. Thank you to all the allies, and to the beautiful LGBTQ+ community. 

  • pupsarebest June 26, 2022 (9:00 pm)

    Do unto others as you would them do unto you—such a radical agenda. 

  • Marina June 26, 2022 (10:47 pm)

    Monica and Autumn – you guys are the best!!!

  • David June 27, 2022 (7:11 am)

    Wonderful day full of happiness.

  • Amai/Sky June 27, 2022 (10:11 am)

    Oh my gosh! I was the person in the pink fursuit! (Fifth picture down)Thank you so much for featuring my image and writing about this wonderful event!

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