6th annual Sassabration celebrates pride and diversity in Carson City
Six years ago, wanting to create an event and space to help celebrate LGBTQ equality, the owners of Sassafras, Tony Fish and Jayme Watts, started the Sassabration, a diversity fundraiser to help support the PFLAG Carson Region, The Ron Wood Family Resource Center and the Carson Animal Services Initiative.
This year's Sassabration started Saturday with a grand parade at 11 am at the Brewery Arts Center and ended at the Sassafras off Hot Springs Road.
Grand Marshal Adam Whitney celebrated the event by wearing many outfits throughout the day, one of the personas to take the main stage is Whitney as the late actress Bea Arthur.
"I have personated her and toured as her for many years. She is very outspoken, kinda like myself," said Whitney.
As the 2022 midterm election nears, and indications the U.S. Supreme Court could revisit the protection for same-sex couples, many local LGBTQ communities are worried about what this could mean for Nevada. The state has passed numerous protections, but some are still uncertain about the LGBTQ future.
Whitney hopes Sassabration will continue to grow in support as a space where many people can come together and celebrate each other and be themselves.
"Shine it on! With all of the hate that is going on in the world, just shine it on, shine it on. Your light is too bright to be dimmed by anyone else," said Whitney.
Sassabration is sponsored by Visit Carson City, Carson Tahoe Health, and Sierra Academy of Style.