CR Pride

CR Pride organizes CR Pride Fest, the annual LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration in Cedar Rapids, along with year-round events for Linn County and the surrounding Corridor. The festival fills NewBo City Market in early July with drag and music on the main stage, a kid zone, community and vendor booths, and a late show at CSPS. The day opens with the CR Pride Parade, a New Orleans-style walking parade through the NewBo campus where community groups, faith communities, performing ensembles and local businesses show off costumes and wagon-sized floats, with prizes for Best Theme and Best Pride Spirit.

The work runs well past one weekend. CR Pride hosts a Hollywood-themed gala with silent auctions and a dance party, drag brunches, and a Community Event Calendar where anyone can submit a local LGBTQIA+ event. Its Affirming Business Registry is an interactive map of welcoming businesses in Linn and neighboring counties, built so people know where they can go and feel affirmed. A Youth Engagement Committee supports events and outreach shaped by young people, and the Max Pike Community Award honors neighbors nominated by the community. Donations also support partner programs including Tanager LGBTQ Youth Center and Lavender Legal.

The organization grew out of the GLRC of Cedar Rapids, formed in 1992 to share books, resources and a gathering space, and it held the city's first Pride Day in 1995. Monthly meetings on the second Monday are open to everyone, allies included, and volunteers can join committees for the festival and parade, vendors, entertainment, fundraising and outreach.