'Different from other Midwest communities': Hastings PRIDE expecting hundreds

HASTINGS -- One community in Nebraska is boasting about how supportive their community is of LGBTQ+ people. 

Hastings started marching for PRIDE back in 2019, as a private event. In 2019, PFlag started sponsoring it. They then recruited Randal Kottwitz and made it a 501c3 umbrella event. 

Kottwitz used to organize the Kool-Aid Days in Hastings. Now, he's focused on making each PRIDE event outdo the previous. 

Though Hastings held off on the group event in 2020, last year they saw more than 300 attendees. This year, Kottowitz wants to hit 500. 

As for overall community acceptance, Kottwitz said that's growing too. 

"It’s gotten better and better and better — it's always been relatively good contrasting to nationwide because we’ve had several gay business owners. And Hastings is also progressive in context to the state," Kottwitz said. "Hastings is the Austin of Nebraska."

He did note that the community could still add some non-discrimination ordinances.  

However, with 27 sponsors, he said attitudes are definitely changing.

"We went from having to convince sponsors -- to people asking to be in it," Kottwitz said. He believes there is a positive backlash from the news on homophobia and Black Lives Matter, that made people want to support minorities. 

The Hastings PRIDE on Saturday, June 11, with be at Highland Park.

"We take half the parking lot and park, there will be food vendors, a face painter, a stage for performers in the pavilion, a free photo booth, free inflatable rides, and 46 exhibitors," he said. 

Hastings used a state tourism grant, he said, to spend $4,000 advertising the event. 

"I think it speaks greatly of the city of Hastings that they want to grow it," Kottwitz said.  "The queer community is not used to having support from the government [...] we are definitely different from other Midwest communities."