For many, Auburn University evokes images of the quintessential Southern college experience. But for members of the LGBTQ+ community, finding a sense of belonging can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Pride on the Plains, the flagship organization for the Auburn-Opelika area, provides a crucial support system and fosters an inclusive environment for all.
The organization is known for its two main events: the annual Pride Parade and following festival. Members work diligently throughout the year to ensure that these events can happen.
“What I want [the organization] to be is something that sets things up for people to come be involved. Even if they're not ready to be involved, they know it's happening, they know it's out there,” said Treasurer Bob Cloud.
Cloud joined Pride on the Plains after seeing the need for an LGBTQ+ organization in the school that he worked for.
“It was a great change for me because I got to be involved in a place where — when I started school at Auburn University — I never would have imagined something like this. It was still too scary for me to want to be involved and for my name to be associated with involvement,” Cloud said. “After all these years, it's okay for me to be involved, and it's okay for people to know that I'm involved. This organization has given me a lot of power, so it has meant a lot.”
President Melissa Kosbab views Pride on the Plains as more of a “found family" rather than an organization.
“We have all different kinds of people from all walks of life, and we want to be that safe space for everybody to come together and be with your community and know that whatever happens in your day to day, you have people who are here,” Kosbab said.
Kosbab recognizes that it is not always easy to get involved, and she mainly just wants the community to know Pride on the Plains is here.
“I actually interned at Auburn University in 2009 and in that summer, I never met a single openly queer person. So when I got here in 2017, through my work at the university, I tried to make sure that students saw somebody who was out and was open,” said Secretary Chris Landry.
Landry was introduced to Pride on the Plains when the organization began in 2017. He currently works for the university in the First Year Experience Office.
“As much as people talk about the Auburn Family, they don't often realize that not everybody feels the family connection on campus because of parts of who they are,” Landry said. “I think it's easy for Auburn students in general to not recognize that there's people that are different and that it affects them differently whenever they are on the outside.”
Landry explained that above all else, Pride on the Plains wishes to provide people with a space to be with other people like them. He hopes that people feel accepted when they join the organization and attend the festival.
The festival is the first weekend of June at Kiesel Park and is the second-largest Pride festival in the state.
The organization works throughout the year to raise money for the festival, which costs approximately $30,000. They put on fundraisers, host bingo nights and serve concessions at Auburn University football games and gymnastics meets.
The organization also holds a monthly trivia night at Avondale Bar & Tap Room, as well as pancake breakfasts in Town Creek Park or Dinius Park. These events are free.
“Our one big event that we've tried to put on is our annual gala fundraiser, which we call the Believe Ball. We are having a really hard time finding a space for that,” Kosbab said.
Kosbab explained that she wants the organization to be there for the community, but the community must be there for them in return.
Pride on the Plains is a testament to the growing acceptance and inclusivity within the Auburn-Opelika community. By providing a safe space and celebrating diversity, the organization plays a vital role in fostering a welcoming environment for all.
The success of the organization depends on the continued support of the community, from attending events and volunteering to making donations. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, it will remain a beacon of hope and a source of strength for the LGBTQ+ community in the region.
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Sam Vise, senior in journalism, is the Assistant Culture Editor for The Auburn Plainsman. She has previously served as a culture writer and community reporter.
