55 years after the Stonewall riots—a moment widely recognized as the flashpoint for what became the LGBTQ rights movement—the Collar City held its first ever Pride Fest at Riverfront Park in downtown Troy in 2024. The event was organized by Collar City Pride, a Rensselaer County-based nonprofit that offers peer support, training, and social services for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.

We're fortunate to have the founder of Collar City Pride, Meagon Nolasco (they/them) on the podcast to discuss the inaugural Troy Pride Festival, lessons they learned and what’s ahead for the organization and festival for 2025.

Meagon also dissects the City Council’s 2024 vote on Pride Month, and the importance of speaking out on local issues affecting Troy’s LGBTQ community.

Show Notes:

• Collar City Pride
• Pride Center of the Capital Region
• In Our Own Voices
• Mayor Madden Issues First-Ever Pride Proclamation in Troy (Photos, Video)
• Troy City Council Votes on 2024 Pride Month Resolution
• Meagon Nolasco addresses Troy council members on Pride Month resolution

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Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

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