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Charlotte's Jewish Community Shines at 2024 Pride Parade
October 2024
By Shira Firestone
For the sixth year in a row, Charlotte’s Jewish community came together in August to proudly participate in the 2024 Charlotte Pride Parade. Led by the Levine Jewish Community Center (LJCC) through its JPride initiative, the Jewish community stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
The LJCC, in partnership with Shalom Park agencies and local synagogues, ensured that this year’s event not only represented Jewish pride but also furthered the center’s mission of fostering inclusivity and building connections both within and beyond the Jewish community.
Waving flags and sporting colorful JPride t-shirts, participants joined more than 700 other groups, including corporate sponsors and community organizations, in a parade that saw 11,000 marchers and drew over 250,000 attendees. “It’s important for us to stand behind the LGBTQ+ community and let people know that we are here to support them,” said Michelle Rusgo, director of art and culture at the LJCC, who coordinated JPride for the second consecutive year. “As Jews, we know what it’s like to feel the need to hide parts of who we are. Standing here, together, is a way of saying we believe in the right to be authentically ourselves.”
In addition to the parade, the festival featured a wide array of entertainment and activities, including drag performances, DJ sets, and art exhibitions. A Youth & Family Zone provided a welcoming space for families, while the Neighborhood Market offered local artisans and craft vendors.
The participation of the Jewish community this year was particularly meaningful. Amid a rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment following the October 7 Hamas attacks, safety was at the forefront of organizers’ minds. Cities like New York, Denver, and Vancouver saw disruptions at their Pride parades due to pro-Palestinian protests. In New York, floats were vandalized, and in Vancouver, the parade was cut short due to peaceful demonstrations.
Recognizing these concerns, Michelle Rusgo partnered with Douglas Greene, director of Jewish community relations Jewish community relations director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, to ensure a thoughtful approach to security. Greene’s expertise in responding to incidents of antisemitism helped organizers feel confident about participating in the parade. As Greene explained, “The rise in antisemitism isn’t just about safety risks — it’s about the larger issue of dehumanization, where hate and prejudice thrive when people are seen as “other.” By showing up as a community, Greene emphasized, “we humanize ourselves in such divisive times, making it harder for people to demonize us.” This reflects Federation’s critical role in countering the broader impact of antisemitism. Participating in Pride, despite these challenges, sends a clear message of resilience and solidarity.
As Pride coincided with the Jewish holiday of love, Tu B’Av, this year’s participation was even more poignant. “What better day to celebrate love than at Pride?” Rusgo reflected. The intersection of these values—love, inclusivity, and solidarity—was evident throughout the parade, as the Jewish community once again showed up to affirm their shared commitment to equality and pride for all.
