LGBTQ business owners and community members express blessings and hardships

As colorful rainbows are waved around on flags, shirts, stickers and more during June for LGBTQ pride month, outside the celebration is a yearning to continue the fight for love and acceptance from all, regardless of their sexual orientation.

It's only been nine years since same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states by the U.S. Supreme Court. Although LGBTQ community members are beginning to feel more accepted, backlash is still happening around the country. 

According to the FBI's annual crime report released last October, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes rose sharply in 2022, jumping more than 19 percent over 2021.

The report stated that in 2022, more than 11,600 hate crime incidents have been sent to the FBI, the highest number recorded since they began tracking them in 1991.

Logansport business owner Josh Weber is one person who has felt the heat since making his business, Logansport Skate World and Fun Center, more visible in the local LGBTQ community. 

Weber has owned the business for the past six years. 

Although Weber knew of tension between the LGBTQ community and certain religious groups, the contempt finally came to a head when Logansport Skate World and Fun Center announced that it would be holding its first official drag show as a Pride fundraiser this past May.

Weber says that he has not experienced any physical violence from locals who were against his decision about the drag show.

Weber said the hate that was unleashed on social media, directed towards his business, however, was initially disheartening. 

Hundreds of comments and shares from people against the drag show being at the skate rink had promised protests for the event. 

The founder of Logansport Pride, Weber says he ignored the backlash, and continued on with the drag show.

That decision was something Weber is glad he stuck with. 

In just over one month since the drag show, Weber said his Logansport Pride page on Facebook has gained over 1,000 followers.