Southeast Kentucky Chamber Welcomes Pikeville Pride as a New Member

PIKEVILLE, KY (July 1, 2024)—The Southeast Kentucky Chamber is pleased to announce that Pikeville Pride has joined as a new member.  A membership plaque was presented to the nonprofit organization on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Pikeville Pride began in 2017 to provide representation, visibility, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in our region. Their first Pride event was in October of 2018 with 400 people in attendance.  Since then, the annual event has grown and doubled in size every year.  What started as a picnic in the park has now grown into a fully-fledged festival that closes streets in Downtown Pikeville for the celebration. This year will mark their fifth annual event, which will be the largest one yet and will feature live music, drag shows, and special guest, author Silas House.

Pikeville Pride is more than an event. They are a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit that uses donations and grant monies to help those in the LGBTQ+ community in a multitude of ways. Some of these include providing gender-affirming clothing, medical expenses, and bill assistance in partnership with East Kentucky Mutual Aid. Pikeville Pride was recently nominated and awarded a $40,000 grant to help those in need.

“We’re happy to be accepted in this area, and our mission is to spread that acceptance,” said Pikeville Pride volunteer, MaryAnn Fletcher.

“Pikeville Pride is a great asset to this community that provides wonderful resources for LGBTQ+ folks in the region,” said Jordan Gibson, Chamber President & CEO. “We’re happy to support them and help spread acceptance and inclusion in Pikeville and beyond.”

For more information on Pikeville Pride, you can follow them on Facebook or visit www.pikevillepride.org
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.

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