Oklahoma City mayor declares Pride Week

In this April 8, 2019, file photo, Mayor David Holt, left, and Kelley Blair, third from left, CEO and founder of Diversity Center of Oklahoma, walk with Councilman-elect James Cooper, center, and Allie Shinn, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma during a march in support of the LGBTQ community, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Holt has declared Oklahoma City's first official Pride Week to celebrate LBGTQ accomplishments. He helped kick off a week’s worth of events Monday, June 17, with a mayoral proclamation to “reaffirm our city’s commitment that all people are welcome in Oklahoma City.” (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman via AP, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Mayor David Holt has declared Oklahoma City’s first official Pride Week to celebrate LBGTQ accomplishments.

Holt helped kick off a week’s worth of events Monday with a mayoral proclamation to “reaffirm our city’s commitment that all people are welcome in Oklahoma City.”

Others who joined the kickoff included Councilman James Cooper, who became Oklahoma City’s first openly gay councilman when he took office in April.

Festivities include a parade Saturday that will roll by businesses catering to LGBTQ clientele along a stretch of road that was part of historic Route 66.

Pride celebrations are happening throughout the U.S. in June, which also marks 50 years since a clash with police at the Stonewall Inn in New York became a catalyst for expanding LGBT activism nationwide and abroad.