LGBT+ demonstration downtown

On March 19 the corners of the intersection of Broadway and Center Streets were inhabited by over a hundred demonstrators, many from New Ulm with some from neighboring communities. In the crowd were people from all walks of life, from students at New Ulm Schools to senior members of the New Ulm community.

“We have to become a more welcoming community in New Ulm…I think we need to be more visual in support of diversity and acceptance and humanity,” Citizen Tracie Denny said.

The demonstration was organized by One New Ulm, a community group with a mission to foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community. “I hope that this is just the start of people recognizing the diversity that’s already here,” said Pastor Scott Richards when asked about what the community should take as the message of the demonstration.

The demonstration was in response to the recent controversy around an incident involving a member of the New Ulm basketball team and an openly gay student-athlete from St. Peter. “…discrimination, hate, bigotry; none of those are virtues…Can we just have more love…” Pastor Richards said.