Minnesota Rural Pride Marker Commemorates Two Decades of LGBTQ+ Community Building

On May 28, Pine City will unveil a historic marker in Voyageur Park commemorating the 2005 launch of East Central Minnesota Pride. Members describe the group as the nation’s first rural Pride organization, and the marker will be the state’s first LGBTQ+ monument on the historic marker registry.

The Advocate

In 2005 a support group for gay, bisexual and questioning men gathered in Voyageur Park and founded East Central Minnesota Pride, bringing a Pride presence to the rural Midwest when many LGBTQ+ residents felt forced to move to larger cities for acceptance.

The Advocate

The group’s 2005 founding in Voyageur Park set the stage for a marker project approved by Pine City Council in 2024 after a narrow vote, with Mayor Kent Bombard casting the deciding vote. The dedication is set for May 28 2025, and the projected cost is $7,000.

The Advocate

The $7,000 effort is financed partly by the Minnesota Historical Society and a state fund for local history, arts and culture. Pine City Council’s close approval reflects mixed sentiment; Mayor Kent Bombard’s tiebreaking vote secured passage. Allison Ortiz, head of communications for the Minnesota Historical Society, noted the lack of a universal definition for historic markers and the absence of a comprehensive state database.

The Advocate

Organizers argue that rural LGBTQ+ histories are often overlooked. The marker aims to document community heritage, counteract political attacks on LGBTQ+ visibility, and demonstrate that rural residents can build safe, lasting communities without relocating.

The Advocate

The council’s narrow approval indicates some local dissent, though no formal criticism appears in the sources. The Historical Marker Database does not list LGBTQ+ markers erected by the Minnesota Historical Society, and the park’s name appears as both “Voyager” and “Voyageur,” underscoring gaps in documentation.

The Advocate

• “LGBTQ+ history is so often not documented, and I think there’s a big push for that now,” — Aaron Bombard, President, East Central Minnesota Pride

The Advocate

• “The rural LGBTQ stories are often overlooked,” — Nathan Johnson, Secretary, East Central Minnesota Pride

The Advocate

• “There's a lot of opportunity in country life for the community, and it shows that this is a safe place,” — Aaron Bombard, President, East Central Minnesota Pride

The Advocate

• “People looking at this from New York or Los Angeles would look at this and maybe wonder: Why do they care about this story about rural Pride?” — Aaron Bombard, President, East Central Minnesota Pride

The Advocate

The marker’s installation next month will provide a public acknowledgment of Pine City’s LGBTQ+ legacy. East Central Minnesota Pride will continue its annual celebrations, senior socials, interfaith services, and mentorship of emerging rural LGBTQ+ groups nationwide.

The Advocate