GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Dozens of people walked down the Downtown Parkway on Sunday in Gatlinburg to celebrate Pride Month.
The Sevier County Pride group hosted the march which brought cheers of support, and some negative reactions along the Parkway. The supporters outweighed any negative comments.
"When all the people were booing, we cheered louder," Participant Daniel Alexander said.
The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking 40 bills they say could harm the LGBTQ community in Tennessee.
"Our state is passing laws that are limiting gender affirming care," Shana, one marcher, said. "In the long run i think that leads to shame which leads to depression and anxiety."
10News asked people walking in the Pride march Sunday what Pride Month means to them.
"Being who you are, being authentic. Not backing down from any challenge or fight and just existing in peace," Daniel Alexander said.
"Being able to live my life without caring what anyone else thinks about me. You only live once, so why should I care about what that person down the street thinks about me?" Isabella from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said.
"It means celebrating the people and the work that came before us, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and the work that we still have to come," Blake from Cosby, Tennessee said.
The group behind the march and Pride picnic is also organizing a variety of other events during Pride Month. They include a June Movie Night, starting at 6 p.m. on June 27 at the King Family Library.