As part of PRIDE month celebrations, a significant historical presentation is set to take place in Moorhead, Minnesota. On August 5, 2023, retired North Dakota State University (NDSU) professor Larry Peterson will deliver a talk titled “Celebrating Togetherness: Same-Sex Dancing in FM” at the Hjemkomst Center. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public.
Peterson’s presentation will delve into how LGBTQ+ individuals navigated public spaces and local bars to find acceptance and love during the late 20th century. His research spans from the earliest records of same-sex dancing in the area, starting in 1975, until the closure of the I-Beam, a notable venue, in 2011. Through this exploration, Peterson aims to highlight the community that emerged in an era when societal acceptance was still developing.
A Celebration of Community and Music
The presentation will feature musical selections that resonated with patrons of these dance venues. Peterson plans to play songs that not only reflect the atmosphere of the times but also signify the emotional connections formed within the community. According to a press release from the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCSCC), Peterson emphasizes the importance of these gatherings in fostering a sense of belonging.
Peterson, who retired from NDSU in 2016, is also a member of the Red River Rainbow Seniors, an organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting the 50+ 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Red River Valley. He noted that the group aims to ensure that all individuals can live with dignity and respect.
Preserving LGBTQ+ History in Clay County
This event is part of a broader commitment by HCSCC to share the stories of all residents in Clay County. While this is the only official PRIDE event organized by HCSCC this year, there are additional activities planned throughout the month. For a full list of PRIDE month events, interested individuals can visit fmpride.org/events/.
In previous years, HCSCC created the exhibit “At Last: 10th Anniversary of Marriage Equality in Minnesota,” which celebrated the stories of local residents who married on August 1, 2013, the date when same-sex marriage became legal in Minnesota. Although the physical exhibit is no longer accessible, an online version can be found at www.hcscconline.org/atlast.
Furthering their mission, HCSCC has collaborated with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) to document LGBTQ+ spaces in Moorhead and surrounding communities. This research is available in an interactive story map, accessible at storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ff9c23776f1d4b729caac2d034f2a09f. Recently, the organization received grants totaling $9,500 from MNHS to hire a historian for further research on LGBTQIA+ history in Moorhead, as well as $7,000 for documenting oral histories related to the legacy of Minnesota Native American activist Gladys Ray.
The grants are funded through the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, which supports initiatives aimed at preserving Minnesota’s history and culture. With this funding, HCSCC will continue to share and celebrate the vital stories of the LGBTQ+ community in the region.
