42 Photos Prove Starkville Pride Persists

Starkville, Miss., is The South, the Deep South. So, maybe it wasn't surprising that last month the city council denied Pride organizers a permit for their first-ever Starkville Pride celebration. Heartbroken, the organizers filed suit, leading to reconsideration by the council, which dead-locked on the permits, 3-3. Thankfully, Mayor Lynn Spruill broke the tie, ensuring Starkville Pride could commence. And commence it did this weekend -- and as you can see on the faces of participants, the fight was worth it.

Thanks to the Pride committee in Starkville for the use of these photos. Credits for the individual photographers contributing are on each image. Special thanks to Sam Calvert for bringing it all together.