Pride Parade : Events : Star City Pride

The 2025 Star City Pride Parade is a FREE event open to the public dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA2S+ community of Lincoln, Nebraska. Now in its fourth year, the Pride Parade has an annual attendance of over 1,000 people and over 50 groups marching in the Parade.

Date: Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at 10:00am

Location: Around the Nebraska State Capitol (1445 K St., Lincoln, NE 68508)

Please note that the streets around the Nebraska State Capitol will be blocked off, so you must find parking in nearby side streets or parking garages.

Star City Pride Grand Marshals

Alma Cerretta
Alma Cerretta (she/her) is an owner and founder of Mana Games in the Haymarket, and serves as Operations Manager for OutNebraska. A driving factor in Alma’s life is creating welcoming and inclusive community spaces. As a queer woman in Nebraska, she personally felt the need for a Third place that supported hobbies, gathering, and connection that was not centered around alcohol and loud crowds. Mana Games has grown from a simple board game cafe to a hub of events, including all-ages drag shows that provide a stage to brand new and experienced performers alike. Through Mana Games, Alma has been able to support her community by sponsoring and hosting events for just over three years.

Alma’s role at OutNebraska has been a fantastic opportunity to fulfill her passion for serving the community. As Operations Manager, she furthers the mission of OutNebraska to empower and celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community by supporting the many initiatives of the organization with her administrative capabilities. She has previously worked as the Administrative Coordinator for Queer Choir Lincoln under the direction of Mia “Juju” Sabbah, and served as an AmeriCorps service member at the Lincoln Arts Council.

John Heineman

John Heineman is a distinguished educator, and claims to be only teacher in the world to hold endorsements in speech, theater, and physical education. He has dedicated nearly 35 years of his career to Lincoln High School, where he made a significant impact as a teacher, administrator, and coordinator for International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. John was the first IB coordinator at Lincoln High, leading the way for a new era of academic excellence.

In 1992, John founded the Gay and Lesbian Organization for the Betterment of Everyone at Lincoln High, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and support for all students. He, along with Ruth Kupfer sponsored the first Gay/Straight Alliance in a Nebraska high school. This was also the year he bravely came out publicly, being featured on the 10 o’clock news after participating in the March on Washington.

An active member of the National Education Association at the national, state, and local levels, John has championed educational reforms and policies that benefit students and educators alike. He currently serves as the president of the Nebraska State Association of Parliamentarians and enjoys leading workshops on parliamentary procedure, helping others develop leadership skills.

In addition to his educational contributions, John is a Gallup Strengths Coach and a Master Trainer for the 8 to Great, both which focuses on personal growth and development. His relentless passion for education, advocacy, and empowerment continues to inspire students and colleagues at Lincoln High and beyond.

Ruth Kupfer

Ruth Kupfer is a retired language arts teacher who taught at Lincoln High School for 29 years. In 1991 she was presented with the Peter Kiewit Foundation Nebraska Teacher Award for Excellence in classroom teaching.

Ruth, along with John Heineman, co-sponsored a student club established in 1992 entitled the Gay and Lesbian Organization for the Betterment of Everyone. The name was later changed to the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Straight/Alliance. This was the first such alliance organized in the state of Nebraska for high school students. Through this club Pride Prom was established for all students to attend.

In May of 1998, Ruth helped create a multi-day conference sponsored by the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Straight Alliances of the Lincoln Public High Schools. She also conducted GLBTSA training sessions for teachers and administrators, the purpose of which was how to make schools safe for every student. In January of 2001 she worked with a committee of students and community leaders to stage a protest on the steps of our state capital highlighting the lack of protection of rights of GLBTSA individuals by the incoming government’s policies. Ruth and John also organized a display of the AIDS quilt at Lincoln High School.

The purpose of Ruth’s work was to provide support, information, and resources to help young people, especially her GLBTSA students, so they could live safely in their communities.

2025