Our Mission
Baton Rouge Pride is dedicated to providing resources, education, cultural events, and other community-building activities for the South Louisiana LGBTQ+ community and its friends, families and allies.
About Us
Baton Rouge Pride Inc. is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana and a public charity recognized under IRS Code Section 501(c)3. It serves as the parent organization for the Baton Rouge Pride Fest and various other activities conducted throughout the year.
The purpose of the organization is to foster a sense of unity in the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, as well as to provide events and activities that educate, serve, uplift, and celebrate the community at large. To achieve that purpose, BR Pride networks with various businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in social action and achieving full equality/civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
Founded in 2006, Baton Rouge Pride was initially designed to provide a gathering and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community in the area and educational and community-building events centered on a community resource fair. Since the first Baton Rouge Pride Festival in 2007, the event has steadily grown to be Louisiana's largest pride celebration – with thousands of visitors and scores of community resource fair participants each year for the South’s largest indoor, family-friendly pride celebration.
While the Baton Rouge Pride Fest still blends education about community resources, health counseling, family activities, area artists/performers, and much more into its celebrations, the scope of Baton Rouge Pride has grown to encompass activities all year long. Among those are a variety of entertainment, education, historical perspectives, celebrations of performers, recognition of community leaders, scholarships for students, and more.
Throughout the years, the Baton Rouge Pride Fest has remained free to all who attend because of the generosity of sponsors and the dedication of the volunteers who organize it.
The purpose of the organization is to foster a sense of unity in the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, as well as to provide events and activities that educate, serve, uplift, and celebrate the community at large. To achieve that purpose, BR Pride networks with various businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in social action and achieving full equality/civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
Founded in 2006, Baton Rouge Pride was initially designed to provide a gathering and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community in the area and educational and community-building events centered on a community resource fair. Since the first Baton Rouge Pride Festival in 2007, the event has steadily grown to be Louisiana's largest pride celebration – with thousands of visitors and scores of community resource fair participants each year for the South’s largest indoor, family-friendly pride celebration.
While the Baton Rouge Pride Fest still blends education about community resources, health counseling, family activities, area artists/performers, and much more into its celebrations, the scope of Baton Rouge Pride has grown to encompass activities all year long. Among those are a variety of entertainment, education, historical perspectives, celebrations of performers, recognition of community leaders, scholarships for students, and more.
Throughout the years, the Baton Rouge Pride Fest has remained free to all who attend because of the generosity of sponsors and the dedication of the volunteers who organize it.
An Army of Volunteers
Speaking of those volunteers, it truly takes hundreds of volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours of work to present Baton Rouge Pride each year. Some of the volunteers work year-round as officers, board members, and staff members. Others spend a few hours helping to set up and run BR Pride or other events.
No matter the level of involvement, it takes this army of volunteers to keep BR Pride moving forward. Among the leaders of that army this year are these members of the Baton Rouge Pride Fest team:
No matter the level of involvement, it takes this army of volunteers to keep BR Pride moving forward. Among the leaders of that army this year are these members of the Baton Rouge Pride Fest team:
Dr. Bobbi Wisekal Director 
Nicky Mines Entertainment 
Luther Sobers Volunteers and community engagement 
Aaron Moak Venue and logistics |
Christopher Bradford Vice President 
Charlie Champagne Community Events and Digital Media 
Trevor Rabalais CHILDREN ENTERTAINMENT and Kid's Zone 
Angela Longstreet Board Member |
Melinda Robinson Sponsorships 
Benjamin McCown Resource Fair 
Mark Reed Secretary 
Jake Riviere Assistant to President |
It would be impossible to name all the volunteers who have served over the years, but it seems important to note a few of those who have served as the chairperson for Baton Rouge Pride Fest and other activities throughout the years:
- Among its founders was Tom Merrill, who served as chairman from 2006 through 2016.
- Christopher Bradford began a tenure as co-chair with John Deshotel in 2016-17 and then became the sole chairperson the following year, serving in that position through Baton Rouge Pride 2022 (a year in which he spearheaded the return of BR Pride after two years absence due to Covid restrictions).
- Dr. Bobbi Wisekal picked up the mantle as chair of Baton Rouge Pride in 2022.
A Legacy of Honoring service to the LGBTQ+ Community
Baton Rouge Pride recognized its first outstanding community leader as the BR Pride Fest honorary grand marshal in 2009, with the selection of Richard Dykes, owner of George’s Place, the city’s longest operating gay business. Those who have been so honored through the years were:
|
2023 - Gjvar Payne and Father Tommy Dillon
2022 – Jim Urdiales and Syria Synclair 2020-2021 – No events held 2019 – Aaron Moake and Dylan Waguespack 2018 – Mike Smith 2017 – John Deshotel, Jr. 2016 – Kayla Mulford |
2015 – Rev. Keith Mozingo and Whitney Vann
2014 – Cami Miller and Joe Traigle 2013 – Jody Huckaby and Carol Frazier 2012 – Daphne MuShatt 2011 – Trixxie LaRue (James Chinn) 2010 – Larry Freemen 2009 – Richard Dyke |
A brief history of Baton Rouge pride over the years
2006 – Baton Rouge Pride was founded by a group from Metropolitan Community Church of Baton Rouge as a secular (nonreligious) outreach activity to ensure South Louisiana had a community-wide pride activity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
2007 – The first Baton Rouge Pride picnic and resource fair was held at BREC’s Forest Park, followed by a mini film festival at MCCBR.
2008 – BR Pride moved to the grounds of Magnolia Mound to accommodate larger crowds.
2009 – BR Pride recognizes its first community leader as “honorary grand marshal.”
2010 – Baton Rouge Pride Inc. is registered as a nonprofit in the State of Louisiana.
2010 – BR Pride moves inside to the air-conditioned comfort of the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium.
2015 – After years of growth at its indoor venues, BR Pride moves to the largest in town – the River Center Exhibition Halls.
2020-2021 – BR Pride cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
2021 – Baton Rouge Pride Inc. becomes an independently recognized public charity under IRS Code Section 501(c)3. (Before that time, it was recognized as a subsidiary of MCCBR/UFMCC.)
2022 – BR Pride resumed at the Raising Canes River Center Exhibition Halls.
2007 – The first Baton Rouge Pride picnic and resource fair was held at BREC’s Forest Park, followed by a mini film festival at MCCBR.
2008 – BR Pride moved to the grounds of Magnolia Mound to accommodate larger crowds.
2009 – BR Pride recognizes its first community leader as “honorary grand marshal.”
2010 – Baton Rouge Pride Inc. is registered as a nonprofit in the State of Louisiana.
2010 – BR Pride moves inside to the air-conditioned comfort of the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium.
2015 – After years of growth at its indoor venues, BR Pride moves to the largest in town – the River Center Exhibition Halls.
2020-2021 – BR Pride cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
2021 – Baton Rouge Pride Inc. becomes an independently recognized public charity under IRS Code Section 501(c)3. (Before that time, it was recognized as a subsidiary of MCCBR/UFMCC.)
2022 – BR Pride resumed at the Raising Canes River Center Exhibition Halls.
Baton Rouge Pride Inc. is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization (with IRS 501(c)3 recognition, for interested contributors). We are dedicated to providing resources, education, cultural events, and other community-building activities for the South Louisiana LGBTQ+ community and its friends, families, and allies.