WHO WE ARE

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, friends, employed, unemployed, black, white, latina/o... there are no boundaries of who we are!

Rainbow Celebrations is a community-wide, volunteer nonprofit Nebraska corporation, and the official home of the annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Nebraska Pride Parade & Festival and the annual National Coming Out Day Celebration. Formed in 2002, Rainbow Celebrations seeks to advance educational and social activities for the GLBT communities of Nebraska and western Iowa.

Membership is open to any individual who supports the stated mission of Rainbow Celebrations and attends a meeting of the Executive Board, the Pride Committee or the National Coming Out Day Committee. Currently, Rainbow Celebrations sponsors several benefits and special events throughout the year including the annual Nebraska Pride Celebration and NCOD Celebration. Future events are being considered as time and volunteer help permits!

Meetings are always open to the public and are updated on the Calendar section of this website. If you would like more information about Rainbow Celebrations, the Nebraska Pride Celebration or the National Coming Out Day Celebration, please email us at info@rainbowcelebrations.org.

"Rainbow Celebrations fosters events that honor the integrity, history and diversity of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people in the State of Nebraska and surrounding communities and creates unity within the GLBT and Heterosexual Communities."

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA PRIDE

Here in Nebraska, Pride has its official beginnings on June 29, 1985 when the Imperial Court of Nebraska (ICON), a young organization, sponsored the very first Candlelight Pride Walk along 16th Street. The lens of the Omaha World Herald captured approximately 60 marchers as they marched to remember those who had been lost to AIDS.

Following 1985, the Bars & Organizations of Omaha (BOO) took the reigns of Pride for several years and sponsored both the first annual parade and the first Rally & Picnic/Festival at Turner Park in 1988. The Official Logo contest was also introduced in 1988.

With the guidance of Achieving New Gay/Lesbian Endeavors (ANGLE) in 1990, the Pride Celebration began growing over the next decade. 1993 marked the first appearance of the Condors, who have now been a Parade supporter for many years.

Heartland of America Park became the new "home" of Pride in 1996 thus beginning the downtown tradition of Pride for the next six years. Mr./Miss/Ms. Pride were officially crowned in 1997 during the first Pride Pageant held by ICON Empress Candidate Sharon Van Butsel.

In 1998, Pride, Inc. was formed and became the official sponsor of Pride in eastern Nebraska. 2001's Pride Rising Celebration saw the first all day entertainment/speaker lineup during the Festival as well as the very first community elected Grand Marshal, Scott Winkler. Attendance grew to over 2,000 during the Pride Festival on Farnam Street!

In the fall of 2001, after a successful weeklong National Coming Out Day celebration, Pride, INC. dissolved into a new community organization, Rainbow Celebrations. With representatives from many of the active GLBT and supportive groups throughout eastern Nebraska, the new organization became the official home of the annual Pride Parade and Festival and the National Coming Out Day celebration for the eastern Nebraska and western Iowa region.

Organized as a non-profit corporation in the state of Nebraska, Rainbow Celebrations created it own year round volunteer board and membership. Partnering with the Rainbow Outreach Resource Center in its first year, Rainbow Celebrations' Pride 2002 became the largest Pride Festival and Parade in Nebraska history with over 3,200 in attendance for the daylong event. The annual Pride Parade attracted over 45 entries including floats after a long absence from the parade. The 2002 Celebration also saw the announcement of The MAX as the first business to be recognized as Grand Marshal. National recording star Deborah Cooper of C+C Music Factory fame performed marking the beginning of headline entertainment at Nebraska Pride. Corporate sponsorships helped push the Festival in the direction of growth, which had been expressed by many in attendance over the years.

Following the successes of Pride 2002, Nebraska Pride continued to grow bigger and better in 2003. Discovering that the move back to 15th Street between Jones and Jackson Streets had pleased many, the festival was again planned for this location. But the size was increased to include a full two blocks spanning from Leavenworth to Jackson Streets. With the addition of the BudLight Pride Beer Garden, the COX Communications sponsored Kidz Korner, food vendors and a professional Pride Stage, attendance swelled to over 5000 during the two day Celebration!

Friday evening's "Unite 2K3" Circuit Party featuring the dance sounds of DJ KioKio and recording and movie star Paul Lekakis was a new addition to the Pride weekend lineup. Saturday morning's new GLBT Pride Parade route, crossing over the 10th Street Bridge into downtown Omaha and then following Jackson Street to the festival site, provided thousands of new parade watchers great viewing of one of the largest parades in Nebraska GLBT memory. Festival entertainment featured Kristie Stremmel, magician/juggler/fire-eater Ann Lincoln, national recording and dance star Gioia Bruno and International Dance Diva Pepper MaShay! A highlight of the festival happened as over 20 couples pledged to honor and love each other during the first ever Nebraska Pride Commitment Ceremony.

2004 proved to be just as successful as year's past. With growth in many areas of the festival, attendance grew again with over 6000 person's attending from throughout the midwest region. Not to be outdone in the past, this year included COX Communication filming the GLBT Pride Parade for broadcast later in the year; a larger Kidz Korner, more food vendors, and a Freedom Party on Friday evening! Headlining the Freedom Party was gay Latin recording artist Jade Esteban Estrada. Saturday featured performances by dance artist Linda Imperial and National Dance Diva Robin S. sponsored by Gay Fuel. For the 3rd year in a row, Kansas City's trademark comedian, FLO emceed the entire Nebraska Pride weekend!

Pride 2005 marked a special time for Nebraska PRIDE, it’s 20th Anniversary! The familiar appearance of the traditional PRIDE events and attractions were joined with several additional events to mark the special Celebration. The Anniversary Gala Riverboat Cruise became one of the most popular events and featured comedian Rene Hicks and the announcement of the 20 recipients of the Spirit of Pride Awards. A Night of PRIDE highlighted once again much of our local talent as well as the vocal talents of Bonnie Pointer and the dance beat of DJ Bill Bennett. Saturday featured performances by Steff Mahan and the National Headliner, Crystal Waters, sponsored by Gay Fuel. Once again, Kansas City’s trademark comedian, Flo, Emceed Nebraska PRIDE weekend. Closing out the weekend once again was the Post PRIDE Party at the Q in Lincoln, featuring Superstar Abigail.

PRIDE 2006 opened in a new location, the parking lot behind FLIXX Video Bar at 10th and Pacific st. Construction forced the change and taught us new things about this festival. A small storm front brought in a major downpour and drop in temperature. What usually is shorts and tanktops, turned into jeans and coats! Friday night brought us the vocal talents of Thea Austin, from the group SNAP and the tunes of DJ David Knapp. Saturday brought us singer Amber Norgaard and the vocal magic of Josh Zucherman. Headlining that night was Dance Diva extraordinaire, AMBER!

PRIDE 2007 brought new faces to PRIDE and a return to the old location of 15th st. The sun was beautiful and temp was FABULOUS! Warm enough for pretty people in little clothing and cool enough not to sweat! Appearing Friday night, in glorious diversity, was SPANK CANDY! Headlining Friday night PRIDE was Sean Ensign, brought to us by THE MAX! Saturday brought the PRIDE parade and the usual intolerant protestors, but by Saturday night we were ready the incredible vocal talents of International Recording Artist, Kristine W, the golden voiced angel of music!

From our humble beginnings in 1985 when we marched to remember our dead and dying; to the present where we celebrate our freedoms gained and those yet to be won, Nebraska Pride has certainly grown up. Respected throughout the Midwest, each year continues to grow in scope as well as attendance. Many will argue that the time for Pride has come and gone, but the time to celebrate the many wonderful achievements which have been accomplished over the last 22 years will never go away! We look forward to many more years of GLBT Pride in Nebraska!