Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL) to Host City’s First Pride Festival

South Saint Paul, MN – May 30, 2024—South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL), a non-profit 501c4 newly established LGBTQ+ advocacy group in South Saint Paul, is thrilled to announce the city’s inaugural Pride Festival. This historic event will take place on June 8th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Central Square Community Center, located at 100 7th Ave N, South Saint Paul, MN 55075.

The family-friendly festival aims to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community through a vibrant and inclusive event. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with diverse entertainment and activities, including performances by local artists, a variety of vendors, delicious offerings from food carts, uplifting music, and engaging kids' activities.

“We are excited to host South Saint Paul’s first Pride Festival” said Bethany one of the co-founder, co-directors of SSP4ALL. “This event is a significant milestone for our community."

SSP4ALL was founded with the mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in South Saint Paul. The group aims to foster a supportive environment through education, community engagement, and events like the Pride Festival.

Event Details:

Date: June 8, 2024

Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave N, South Saint Paul, MN 55075

Admission: Free and open to all ages

For more information about the festival or to learn more about SSP4ALL, please visit SSP4ALL.org or contact Gusta Carr (Gus) at gusta@ssp4all.org.

Join us in making history and celebrating Pride in South Saint Paul!

About South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL):

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in South Saint Paul. Through education, community engagement, and advocacy, SSP4ALL strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.

Media Contact:

Gusta Carr (Gus) a

gusta@ssp4all.org.

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL)

SSP4ALL.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Saint Paul to Host Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrate Freedom

South Saint Paul, MN – May 29, 2024 – The Clark Grace United Church of Christ and the South St. Paul Pastors in Action Group are excited to announce a Juneteenth Celebration titled "Celebrate Freedom," set to take place on Wednesday, June 19th. The event will be held at 779 15th Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN 55075.

The celebration will commence at 5:00 PM with a presentation by Pastor Olive White, followed by an outdoor picnic and BBQ at 5:30 PM. Attendees can look forward to a lively atmosphere with food, games, and a local lemonade stand.

In addition to the picnic and BBQ, SSP4ALL will be joining the South St. Paul Arts Council to offer various activities and provide information to attendees. This event aims to bring the community together to share stories, foster healing, and celebrate freedom.

Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, is a time to honor Black lives, their struggles, strength, brilliance, and resilience. The Clark Grace United Church of Christ invites everyone to join in this significant celebration.

Event Details:

Date: June 19, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM – Presentation by Pastor Olive White

5:30 PM – Outdoor Picnic and BBQ

Location: 779 15th Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN 55075

Host: Clark Grace United Church of Christ and South St. Paul Pastors in Action Group

Website: Clark Grace United Church of Christ https://www.clarkgraceucc.org

Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate the spirit of freedom and community.

About SSP4ALL:

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in South Saint Paul. Through education, community engagement, and advocacy, SSP4ALL strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.

SSP4ALL Media Contact:

Gusta Carr (Gus)

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL)

gusta@ssp4all.org

SSP4ALL.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL) Issues Open Letter to Mayor and City Council on Pride Month Proclamation

South Saint Paul, MN – May 29, 2024 – South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL), a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has sent an open letter to Mayor Francis and the members of the South Saint Paul City Council. The letter, which has been distributed via email, addresses the recent handling of a Pride Month proclamation and calls for greater recognition and support of the LGBTQ+ community within the city.

In early March, SSP4ALL requested that the city issue a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. After forming an official non-profit organization and participating in various community beautification efforts, SSP4ALL was hopeful for a positive response similar to those of neighboring cities. However, the recent city council meeting left much to be desired.

Mayor Francis read a proclamation acknowledging SSP4ALL and its upcoming Pride event, but did not formally recognize Pride Month or the larger LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, SSP4ALL's organization was not listed on the meeting agenda, and a request to speak at the public meeting was denied.

"We appreciate our organization being recognized, but the proclamation was not what we requested," said Gusta Carr, III, co-founder of SSP4ALL. "Being left off the formal agenda and not being allowed to speak felt like we were being hidden from the public."

The letter from SSP4ALL founders Gusta Carr, Bethany Lippolt, and Cindy Schmidt expressed their disappointment and called for the city to better serve all members of the community.

Despite the setbacks, SSP4ALL remains dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in South Saint Paul. The group invites everyone to join them in celebrating Pride Month at the city’s first Pride Festival on Saturday, June 8th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Central Square Community Center. More information can be found at ssp4all.org.

Event Details:

Date: June 8, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave N, South Saint Paul, MN 55075

About SSP4ALL:

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in South Saint Paul. Through education, community engagement, and advocacy, SSP4ALL strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.

Media Contact:

Gusta Carr (Gus)

South Saint Paul For All (SSP4ALL)

gusta@ssp4all.org

SSP4ALL.org

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Mayor Francis and Members of Council -

We are writing you today as the founders of South St. Paul for All, as well as voting residents of our city.

In early March we attended a city council meeting and made a request to the city, through our friend and candidate for City Council, Tyler Fehrman, that the city issue a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. We were later invited to a work session meeting to discuss our request, and asked by Mayor Francis to return once we had formed an official non-profit organization. Since then, not only have we done that - but we’ve also taken up multiple opportunities to be involved in the beautification of South St. Paul. We have enjoyed this process - and were hopeful that the city might follow suit with our neighboring cities, county, state, and even sports teams in recognizing Pride Month.

Earlier this week, we were invited to come to the City Council meeting and were told that the Mayor would be issuing a proclamation related to us. We waited during the meeting - but did not see our organization on the meeting agenda. Finally, at the end of the meeting during “mayor and council communication”, Mayor Francis read a proclamation recognizing our organization and upcoming Pride event day… but fell short of recognizing the large LGBTQ+ community in South St. Paul or Pride Month itself.

While we appreciate our organization being recognized - the proclamation was not anywhere near what we had requested - and our being left off the formal agenda felt like we were being hidden from the public. Further, when one of our founding members asked to speak (at a public meeting, mind you) after being given the proclamation, Mayor Francis simply said “no,” despite the fact that the other organization that was recognized was given ample time to speak. We had intended to present the city with a gift, but weren’t given the opportunity.

All of these things combined felt like a slap in the face from elected officials whose job it is to serve all members of their community.

Regardless of what was intended, the proclamation that was issued - that failed to recognize Pride Month - came across as a disingenuous attempt at placating an entire community of residents who have dedicated time and energy to bettering the place we call home.

Our community is not a “club.” We are a group of people who have long been marginalized and treated differently simply for the choices we make within the privacy of our homes. Last night’s actions taken by the Mayor - and the lack of action in speaking up for our community embraced by Council Members - has only deepened the painful feelings of being unwelcome, as well as our belief that our city needs to see change, starting with who holds local office.

We are saddened, hurt, and embarrassed that Mayor Francis and our Council Members thought it would be acceptable to hide us from the public, refuse to allow us to speak, and then follow everything with an empty proclamation that smacks of placation. We hope that you will do better in the future.

Sincerely,

Gusta Carr, III

Bethany Lippolt

Cindy Schmidt

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