Pride parade transitions to ‘Protesting with Pride’ with plans to fly upside-down American flag

Queer Northshore social media posts signal shift from original stated theme on application

Change to honor legacy of 1969 Stonewall Riots

Route includes Lakeshore Drive, Girod Street with ‘block party’ at Mandeville Trailhead

Trailhead events to include ‘drag performances’ on main stage

MANDEVILLE — Organizers of Queer Northshore’s “Pride Northshore Parade” have taken to social media to signal a shift from the original, council-approved “Celebration of Pride Month” theme to “Protesting with Pride.”

A Queer Northshore Instagram post explains the change in theme as follows:

“This year, as LGBTQ+ rights face relentless attacks from those in power, our theme — ‘Protesting with PRIDE’ — honors the bold legacy of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.”

The Stonewall Riots, which started on June 28, 1969, in New York City, marked a violent episode in the LGBTQ+ movement. A police raid on a popular gay bar sparked clashes that lasted for several days.

During the riots, at least 13 people were arrested and multiple injuries were reported as tensions flared between demonstrators and police. Protesters hurled bottles, bricks, and debris, leading to bloody clashes with police in the streets.

Additionally, Mandeville Daily was contacted by locals who said they were concerned about materials they discovered on the Queer Northshore’s official website, including a graphic describing a “colors of resistance” procession of ten flags during the parade, among them an upside-down U.S. flag and a Palestinian flag.

Jeremy Thompson and Mel Manuel deliver a video message to their supporters on Instagram. (Mandeville Daily)
Jeremy Thompson and Mel Manuel deliver a video message to their supporters on Instagram. (Mandeville Daily)

“Regarding concerns about the inclusion of certain flags in this year’s Pride parade — specifically the Palestinian, Mexican, and upside-down American flags, we feel it is important to explain our values clearly,” the graphic reads.

Queer Northshore application adopted 3-1 by the City Council February 27, 2025, was described as "Celebration of PRIDE month." (Mandeville Daily)
Queer Northshore application adopted 3-1 by the City Council February 27, 2025, was described as “Celebration of PRIDE month.” (Mandeville Daily)

A message on another page of the website reads: “Pride is not neutral. It is not ‘just a celebration.’ It is a platform for resistance, solidarity, and truth-telling — even when that truth is uncomfortable.”

Screenshot of the Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)
Screenshot of the Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)

One version of the graphic on the website was later changed to show a Ukrainian flag instead of the upside-down American flag, however, as of today (June 3rd), the original version with the upside-down American flag could still be found on the website.

Last year, Pro-Palestinian supporters with their banners, flags and symbols (watermelon logos and keffiyehs) marched in the parade through the predominantly Conservative Historic Old Mandeville neighborhood. According to surveys, most Conservatives are staunchly pro-Israel when it comes to the Israel-Palestinian debate.

Posts on multiple Instagram accounts — @northshore4palestine, @queernorthshore, @qtcapnola and @louisianaalliesforpalestine — promoted last year’s parade as a pro-Palestinian event or boasted of their participation in the parade afterwards.

The special events permit for 2025 was approved, 3-1, by the City Council on February 27th. Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman, an ethnic Jew who recently converted to Catholicism, was the only council member who voted against it. District III Councilwoman Jill Lane was absent.

The parade is scheduled to roll down Lakeshore Drive and up Girod Street, culminating in a block party at the Mandeville Trailhead Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mandeville Police Department posted a reminder on Facebook that parking will not be permitted anywhere along the parade route and they plan to strictly enforce the rule:

There will be no parking along the entire parade route from 2 pm to 6 pm, and this will be strictly enforced. (Mandeville Police Department)
There will be no parking along the entire parade route from 2 pm to 6 pm, and this will be strictly enforced. (Mandeville Police Department)

Related:


The Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)
The Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)
Graphic from the Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)
Graphic from the Queer Northshore website on June 3, 2025. (Mandeville Daily)
Instagram posts from various pro-Palestinian groups who mades posts and claimed to have marched in the 2024 'Queer Northshore Parade.' (Mandeville Daily)
Instagram posts from various pro-Palestinian groups who mades posts and claimed to have marched in the 2024 ‘Queer Northshore Parade.’ (Mandeville Daily)
Instagram posts from various pro-Palestinian groups who mades posts and claimed to have marched in the 2024 'Queer Northshore Parade.' (Mandeville Daily)
Instagram posts from various pro-Palestinian groups who mades posts and claimed to have marched in the 2024 ‘Queer Northshore Parade.’ (Mandeville Daily)
Queer Northshore’s 'Pride Northshore Parade 2024' on the Mandeville lakefront. (Collage assembled from photos by Leyla’s Photo Magic posted on the Queer Northshore website - https://www.leylasphotomagic.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/leylasphotomagic/)
Queer Northshore’s ‘Pride Northshore Parade 2024’ on the Mandeville lakefront. (Collage assembled from photos by Leyla’s Photo Magic posted on the Queer Northshore website – https://www.leylasphotomagic.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/leylasphotomagic/)

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2 thoughts on “Pride parade transitions to ‘Protesting with Pride’ with plans to fly upside-down American flag

  1. It’s really upsetting that they’re going through with this, even though so many people in the local LGBTQIA+ community have asked Queer Northshore not to do this “protest.” A lot of us feel left out and hurt by the choice to include the Palestinian flag, especially after the recent attacks on Jewish people in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado. It feels like they care more about having a pro-Palestinian event than actually supporting and including everyone in our community.

    This doesn’t show who we really are, and it sends the wrong message.

    Like

  2. Be careful people we are being brainwashed and we don’t realise it. We need to fight for our beliefs and stop this controlling evil to overtake us.

    Like

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