Nashville councilwoman leads equality walk, recalls Pride Fest's growth

As one of 40 legislators in Nashville's Metro Council, Nancy VanReece's job can be pretty mundane. She wakes up in the morning worrying about land use policy and sidewalks.

But on Saturday at the Nashville Pride Festival's equality walk, VanReece took on rock-star status. Standing on hallowed civil rights ground in the shadow of the Metro Courthouse — where lunch counter protesters ended their own march for equality nearly 60 years ago — VanReece delivered a rousing speech before declaring Pride Fest open.

Recalling driving down West End Avenue with her partner, who would become her wife, VanReece remembered seeing the first Pride Fest taking place in a far back corner of Centennial Park in 1988. The sight of LGBT community members displaying their pride inspired VanReece.

Both VanReece and Nashville's Pride Fest have come a long way. A few decades later, she became the first openly gay woman elected to legislative office in Nashville's history.

The festival has grown as well, from a smattering of folks in the park to scores of thousands, including major corporations and government institutions like the Metro Nashville Police Department, marching for equality and to celebrate the LGBT community's contributions to Nashville.

"It was pretty amazing. We were unable to attend until probably 10 years later," VanReece said. "But the fact it was there was amazing confirmation that no matter how alone you may feel in any circumstance, there are other people around who can benefit from your work."

As she carried a rainbow-colored American flag, her wife Joan VanReece by her side, VanReece took in cheers from spectators on 2nd Avenue watching the equality walk. After they screamed her name, VanReece smiled, shook her head and said, "weird," as if it was jarring to hear the adulation of strangers.

"I'm a district council member," VanReece said. "So I wake up thinking about zoning and I'm always just thinking about, 'How can I bring smart development to my district?' I forget everything that everything else is going on around me sometimes."

The equality walk featured marching bands, colorfully dressed walkers, some in drag, families and community groups walking together.

The police department provided security around the festival, but also marched in the parade, including Sgt. Suzanne Stephens, who leads the department's recruitment efforts.

"This is an important event for us to attend," Stephens said. "It is important for our department to reflect our community."

Cracker Barrel, Lyft, Vanderbilt University and Cigna were also among the private groups displaying banners during the parade.

Terry DeMars waived pink and blue flag representing bisexual rights. He's involved with the Nashville LGBT center, Out Central.

"I have been coming since 2003. It really is amazing how much Pride (Fest) has grown," DeMars said.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.