Salem’s first Pride march, in 1978, had just nine attendees who marched in front of the Capitol building.
A Saturday march and block party called back to that original event, though a much larger crowd assembled in front of the Oregon Capitol.
The event, organized by Capital Pride, drew hundreds of people to downtown Salem for a day of art, sno-cones, drag performances and more.
Chuck Simpson speaks to the crowd during the Pride Commemorative march rally at the Capitol on June 17, 2023 in Salem. Simpson was the editor of Community News, one of Oregon’s first gay newspapers in the 1980s (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A young marcher in front of the Capitol for Pride on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)The banner that greeted attendees at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A supporter during the Pride Commemorative march on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Directing traffic during the Pride Commemorative march from the Capitol on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A marcher in front of the Capitol for Pride on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Juno of Lylac and Friends hushes the crowd during her routine at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17,2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)It was raining money during the show with Lylac and Friends at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)An attendee of the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A performer with Lylac and Friends gathers tips from the crowd during their performance at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Lylac opens up the show at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)An attendee at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A young marcher in front of the Capitol for Pride on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Face painting at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Free flowers for marchers from supporters during the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)About 100 attendees did street yoga at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Kids watch Lylac and friends at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Pride was evident even in shoe choice at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A performer with Lylac and Friends during their performance at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)
Balloons for sale at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Susy Dempster of Cherry City Roller Derby at their tent at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)Marchers in the Commemorative Pride March on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)A canine attendee at the Downtown Pride block party on June 17, 2023 in Salem (Laura Tesler/ Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
