Boise Pride parade sends ‘louder than fear’ message to legislators

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Thousands of people turned out on Sunday morning for the Boise Pride parade, which highlighted this year’s pride theme of “Louder Than Fear.”

Floats decked out in rainbow colors and blasting music passed through the parade route along River Street. Pride organizers moved the parade from its former downtown route last year so it could end at Ann Morrison Park instead of Cecil Andrus Park.

“I think there’s something really powerful about a march,” Tom Wheeler, board director for the Boise Pride Festival, told the Idaho Statesman. “The parade is just under a mile, and I think it symbolizes this solidarity and this walk we take together as a community down the streets of the city that we all love so much.”

Those marching in the parade represented dozens of local businesses and organizations. Top sponsors of this year’s Pride weekend were Albertsons, sustainable food nonprofit City of Good, the city of Boise, Target and Fred Meyer.

“We had such a great turnout of all of our different sponsors and local nonprofits,” Wheeler said.

While Boise Pride organizers don’t have an official method to track weekend attendance, Wheeler said certain metrics — including increased vendor sales — suggest a larger turnout than usual.

“Overall, it was a huge success,” Wheeler said. “Super happy with the number of folks who came out to support both the festival and the parade.”

Sunday was lifelong Boise resident Chea Jenne’s first time experiencing a Pride parade.

“I love just being out here and having the best time and everyone being so, so positive in a world that sometimes doesn’t want us to be ourselves,” Jenne said.

The “Louder Than Fear” theme was intended to serve as a statement against legislators introducing more than 15 bills that Wheeler said “discriminate against LGBTQ people” in the Idaho Legislature this year.

“This last legislative session was one of the most aggressive towards our trans community, who no longer have the right to use a restroom, a simple, basic human right,” Wheeler said. “Louder than fear is this message that we’re not afraid to be our authentic selves.”

Karma Clayton said the parade meant “everything” to her, and found the parade’s theme “perfect.”

“Have no fear,” Clayton said. “You have to be yourself no matter what.”

Wheeler noted that in an age where it seems everyone is “spending more and more time looking at their phones,” it felt special to connect face-to-face.

“It reminds you that you know your neighbors are good people and want you to have the same basic rights that everyone else has,” Wheeler said. “And I think that’s a good reminder in 2026.”