ST. LOUIS PRIDE RECAP: 06.23.07

Wow, this Pride event was located in Tower Grove Park! We were there for the Pet Parade and thousands of people showed up regardless of the heat, humidity, or rain. We were seated among approximately a hundred forty vendors. What an experience getting to know so many people, sharing what each of our companies are doing within our LGBT Community. We had a hundred forty-two people sign up for information, eighty-eight people wanted to share their story, we gave away over four hundred books, and handed out over six hundred bookmarks. Again, the legendary dollar bill—touched hundreds of hearts and lives.

DES MOINES PRIDE RECAP: 06.10.07

This was our third Pride celebration and it was located in a gorgeous park (Simon Estes Amphitheater) downtown located by the river with the state’s stunning capital building as a backdrop. What a beautiful place and what beautiful people we met. Again, the interest was thrilling. Nearly a hundred people signed up for our mailing list. Also, thirty people wanted to share their story, we gave away three hundred books, five hundred bookmarks, and the Legendary dollar bill was a huge hit. The reaction about the dollar bill never loses its impact, people tear up, hug us, and tell us, “I love you two!” It is so exciting to see this project taking flight in the hearts and minds of others.

OMAHA PRIDE RECAP: 06.09.07

This was our second Pride event located on the city streets of downtown Omaha. Yes, this time we were more prepared. We remembered to bring both the camera and video camera. We had clipboards for people to sign up if they wanted to share their story with us, or if they wanted to receive additional information. After setting up, we were ready to experience the great city of Omaha and the beautiful, colorful, people of Nebraska Pride. The outpouring of interest was incredible. We had hundreds of people sign-up and seventy-seven people wanted to share their story with Rainbow Legends. We were thrilled. We gave out nearly five hundred books, and a thousand bookmarks. Again, a huge success, and also the Legendary Dollar Bill was shared and loved.

KANSAS CITY PRIDE RECAP: 06.02.07

Kansas City Pride was located at Liberty Memorial Park. This was Rainbow Legends’ first Pride event and we did not know what to expect. We had no idea how people would respond to us or to our current project, What’s Your Story? So we just showed up, no camera (sorry), no booth—just Amanda and I with a few boxes of books and a few thousand bookmarks. As we began to talk with people the interest was tremendously positive! During our two days there we spoke with thousands of people, gave out over a thousand books, and over fifteen hundred bookmarks. We considered it a huge success.
The most memorable experience throughout this Pride event that seemed to touch people the most was that in every book we gave away we placed a dollar bill inside. At first, people were somewhat baffled by this until we explained its significance. Then they were touched, some cried, many wanted to hugs us, and some even told us, “I love you two!!”

The Legendary Dollar Bill!

A dollar bill seems insignificant by itself. All of us spend dollar bills every day and often without much thought. When you consider that every book or bookmark Rainbow Legends gives away has a dollar bill with it and you begin to think of the thousands we give away at Pride and other celebratory events then the impact becomes huge. The same is true with each person’s personal story—many people think, “Oh, it is just my story. Who cares to hear about my life or circumstances? Nobody wants to hear about my struggles or triumphs.” But, we at Rainbow Legends understand the power of storytelling and how important every life is and that every life’s journey has value and as we are willing to share our LGBT stories with the world—the magnitude of our sharing is world changing and healing.