By Joan Moossy
For Shepherdstown Pride Parade
Shepherdstown — While the attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, symbols and transgender identity continue nationally, this small West Virginia town is making Pride its newest tradition.
On June 1st, 2026, Shepherdstown, West Virginia will host its 2nd Annual Gay Pride Parade, kicking off Pride Month with color, pageantry, and a defiant celebration of queer life in Appalachia.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Becky Pepper-Jackson, the 15-year-old transgender athlete whose landmark case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Represented by the ACLU of West Virginia and Lambda Legal, who argued her case before the Court in January, Becky has become a national symbol of the fight for trans youth to learn teamwork and lifelong health habits through sports. As the nation awaits the Court’s decision, Shepherdstown will honor her courage and support her.
The parade’s theme: “Trusting Our Youth to Lead Us Into a Better Future.”
“Being at Shepherdstown’s first Pride Parade was exhilarating,” said organizer Joan Moossy. “But attending the second parade is important. It shows that our pride is real, as we are inspired by our past victories and move forward with confidence in the victories and rewards of liberation ahead.”
This year’s parade will also honor Andrew Schneider and Fairness West Virginia, who achieved a clean sweep in the 2026 West Virginia legislative session, defeating every anti-LGBTQ+ bill introduced this year.
The parade’s Queer History of Shepherdstown section will celebrate the town’s LGBTQ+ businesses, past and present, honoring business leaders, Debbie Dickinson and Meredith Wait and paying tribute to Silas Starry, Shepherdstown’s first openly gay mayor, who served from 1972 to 1980, decades before out leadership was common anywhere in America.
The parade will open with Off Kilter, a women’s motorcycle group, and include beloved local institutions such as Bee City, the Roving Peregrine Theater Company, and the Shepherdstown Public Library, alongside statewide advocates including Fairness West Virginia and the ACLU WV, and regional allies Berkeley County Pride and Front Royal Pride.
In the days surrounding the parade, the information center at Eclectic (106 German St) will be open May 30 through June 1, noon to 7pm, featuring Flag in the Map, a traveling photo exhibit charting
rainbow flag stories from around the world, created by the Gilbert Baker Foundation and ReportOUT. (gilbertbaker.com/flaginthemap)
Cementing this town’s commitment, appreciation, and recognition of the local queer community, Shepherdstown’s local businesses will host a full slate of LGBTQ+ events Saturday, Sunday and after the parade on Monday.
A complete schedule is available upon request.
All are welcome. Come as you are.
June 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM | German Street, Shepherdstown, WV
For interviews with organizers, Grand Marshal Becky Pepper-Jackson’s representatives, or honorees, or to cover the event, contact Joan Moossy [email protected] | 212-254-1730