East-Central Minnesota Pride

Controversies

• Counter-Protests. Early Prides were subject to counter-protests across town in a separate park, and were billed as pro family events. Rural Pine County residents claimed they were offended by a Pride advertisement stating, "It's okay to be GAY in Pine City", featuring a pink boa on the town's iconic monument, François the Voyageur.
• "Bad Apples" Comment. In 2014, Pine County Commissioner Mitch Pangerl called Pride organizers "bad apples" at a County Board meeting for using a community sign on school property to promote the event. The sign referenced was used by more than 20 community groups and nonprofit organizations until East Central Minnesota Pride, also a nonprofit, wanted space to promote its event; then, the school voted to use the sign only for school-related events.

  Awards and nominations