Detroit — On a streetcorner in downtown Detroit, Stephanie Catalfio raised her arms wide into the air and yelled, “Free mom hugs!”
One by one, people clad in leather, tutus, animal heads and tank tops threw their own arms into the air, wrapped them around Catalfio and held her tight.
“Thank you so much for this,” one person told her.
Catalfio and her crew of moms giving out hugs at the Motor City Pride Parade on Sunday abide by what they refer to as the “Disney Princess rule”: “We don’t let go until they let go.”
Catalfio of Warren said she comes to Pride festivals every year to spread love, as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. The reaction to giving her love to the community, free of judgment and full of hugs, is profound, she said. They have moms and dads ready to provide a boost to anyone who might not have that same support from their own parents because of their sexuality or gender identity.
“A lot of, ‘Oh my god,’ I haven’t had a hug from a dad in 15 years,'” she said.
Sunday’s Pride parade brought thousands to the streets of Detroit on a day filled with plenty of sunshine to go with all the rainbows.
Attendees said the day marked a defiant commitment to joy, existence and recognition.
“I think the message is, there are more of us,” said Matt Graff of Southgate.
As a gay man, Graff said he has a full schedule of Pride events lined up over the summer, taking him all the way through Ann Arbor’s celebration in August.
“I love the vibe,” Graff said. “I love everything about it.”
Aisha Wells, who was there helping Eboni Taylor campaign for state representative, said the event brought tears to her eyes.
“I just love that people can be themselves,” she said. “A huge expression of love.”
In short remarks before the parade began, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was proud of the progress Michigan had made on protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
“We know for every one of these victories, there’s a backlash, right? We see it in the nation’s capital,” Whitmer said. “We see it playing out in other states. We know how heavy this moment is. And that’s why we don’t take any of it for granted.”
She extended an invitation to anyone in another state who doesn’t feel seen or supported because of who they are.
“So to my friends who live in other states who don’t see you and recognize you, move to Michigan, because we do,” she said.
Warren resident Lukus Heim did just that. He and his 13-year-old daughter, Hailey, moved to Michigan three years ago from Wyoming.
“In Wyoming, I had to hide myself,” he said.
Sunday, he was standing on the side of the street wearing a shirt that read “Trans dads are hotter.” It was a mark of confidence that here, he could be who he is.
It was when he was pregnant with Hailey, he said, he realized his identity was as a transgender man. His daughter, Hailey, has always known him as her dad.
In Wyoming, Heim said he had to do a lot of explaining.
“Nobody asks here, because nobody cares,” he said.
Hailey’s biggest worry on Sunday — acquiring as many miniature Pride flags as possible. She clutched a couple dozen in her hands at once.
If people criticize her dad, she said, “I just ignore them.”
For Adam and Nicole Williams of Ann Arbor, it was important to bring their two children, Malcolm, 9, and Marcus, 5, to Detroit’s parade to “experience diversity.” The family stood on a sidewalk, waved flags and cheered for all who marched by.
“We want to expose our children to different types of people,” said Nicole Williams. She identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, she said, but wanted her family to be visible allies.
“I know it feels heavy,” she said. “I choose to stay optimistic.”
jpignolet@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pride takes over Detroit streets with love, optimism for progress
Reporting by Jennifer Pignolet, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jennifer Pignolet, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
