Heartland Pride becoming more family-friendly

Rainbow colored flags fill the air during the Heartland Pride parade. This day is full of acceptance, love, and celebration.
“It's really important to have alliances and for people to know that they belong and that everyone is accepted regardless of what's happening,” says Quinn Corbin.
Recently, professional soccer player Collin Martin announced on Twitter he would be coming out as an ‘openly gay player.’ This is a moment Jack Knot says he can relate to.
He reflects, “I just didn't want to do it. I just like gave my mom a card that said ‘I’m gay’ and she gave me a little talk.”
Knot says his parents have been supportive since coming out two years ago but Jenna Gabrial says she hasn't always witnessed parents reacting positively.
“I really hated to see what was happening to young people and the repercussions it's had on them for the rest of their lives… Everyone loves their children and the only mistake you can make is not supporting them."
Now Gabrial takes pride in bringing her three young girls ages three, seven and eight, to the festival every year.
Her oldest daughter Trixie smiles while talking, “We love to celebrate Pride and it's my favorite day of the year. And we believe that people can love who they want to love and it doesn't matter."
It's the same growing support among other families each year at the Pride Fest.
“It was great in the beginning but I think when they started to see families are more interested in coming, they just made it so much more family-friendly and I think there's even a bounce house,” says Gabriel.
Quinn Corbin says teaching children to accept others is vital, and a cause she believes in.
“If you're raised with acceptance then you'll bring that into the rest of your life and it doesn't become an issue. You just think of people as people."