A transformative moment in Memphis Pride history unfolded in 2010, as the festival bid farewell to its long-standing home in Midtown’s Cooper-Young District. Held on October 16, the 35th Annual Memphis Pride marked the final celebration at Peabody Park before the event’s highly anticipated move downtown. This shift reflected a growing need for greater visibility, accessibility, and a more expansive platform for LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Peabody Park, which had hosted Pride celebrations for years, was reclassified by the city, prompting the Mid-South Pride board to vote for a move to downtown Memphis. The decision was strategic, designed to increase the festival’s reach and solidify its place as a major city-wide event, while still honoring Midtown’s historic role in fostering LGBTQ+ activism.
Beyond the relocation, the 2010 Pride celebration highlighted three young activists as Grand Marshals—Ceara Sturgis, Constance McMillen, and Will Phillips—each of whom had recently made national headlines for their LGBTQ+ advocacy. Their stories resonated deeply with the crowd, representing the next generation of activists fighting for equality.
- Ceara Sturgis, from Mississippi, became a symbol of gender expression rights after her high school refused to publish her senior portrait in a tuxedo. Her legal battle became a landmark case for LGBTQ+ students, challenging discriminatory dress codes and pushing for greater inclusivity.
- Constance McMillen gained national recognition after she sued her Mississippi school district for canceling prom, rather than allowing her to attend with her girlfriend. Her courage led to wider conversations about LGBTQ+ rights in schools.
- Will Phillips, at just ten years old, made headlines for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance until LGBTQ+ people were granted equal rights. His simple act of defiance became a powerful statement on youth activism and the unfinished fight for justice.
The Mid-South Pride organization itself was undergoing major leadership changes, as longtime organizer Mike Morgan transitioned leadership to Amanda Bolton, with Felipe Zuvichaux stepping in as treasurer. New voices like Vanessa Rodley, Patrick Pearson, and Jennifer Murray-Rodley brought fresh energy to the organization, ensuring that the move downtown would be met with an invigorated vision for Pride’s future.
Adding to the excitement of the weekend was the upcoming George’s Reunion, held on October 23. This event celebrated the legacy of George’s Disco, Memphis’s first drag bar, connecting past and future generations of the LGBTQ+ community. For many, this reunion was a moment of reflection, a reminder of how far the movement had come and how much work remained.
The 2010 Memphis Pride Fest was more than a celebration—it was a declaration of a new era. With the festival preparing to move downtown, new leadership stepping in, and young activists leading the way, it became clear that change was not just on the horizon—it had arrived.