Charleston celebrates the beginning of Pride Month with annual parade

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- June is pride month and to kick it off, a parade was held downtown Charleston Saturday morning.

With flags and lots of smiles, thousands of people lined the streets downtown.

“I just love coming to Pride to see the celebration and just the happiness here on the street, it’s a really nice thing to see,” Savannah Weeks said.

It was the 15th annual pride parade and spectators say it brought them a feeling of unity.

“I’ve come a few years in a row now and I think my favorite thing to see is just everyone who comes out because it can feel really isolating to be gay, especially in the South,” Weeks said.

Laura Cordell came with her wife of 5 years on Saturday.

Their message is love for everyone, saying it’s a time to celebrate diversity and equal rights.

“We’re not here to hate, we’re here to love. Love everyone,” Cordell said.

Both of them saying during Pride month, it’s their hope that people learn acceptance.

“Everybody needs to be accepted. From children to us, to people like the veteran that I take care of here, that’s 75 years old. It’s all acceptable,” Cordell said.