For years, Pride and GroveFest have been cornerstones of The Grove in St. Louis—celebrations of love, inclusion, creativity, and community. These events have historically provided safe and joyful spaces for the LGBT community to gather, express themselves, and feel at home.

But something has changed.

In recent years, especially at this year’s Pride celebration on June 28, 2025, the event was overrun by chaos. Instead of a night of unity, the streets were filled with large crowds who were not there to support the LGBT community. There were fights. People jumped on cars. Streets were blocked. Property was damaged. Tragically, the night ended with two shootings.

There was little-to no security presence. No measures in place to protect attendees, performers, or residents. The people who came to celebrate Pride—the very community these events are meant to honor—were instead left feeling unsafe, unwelcome, and heartbroken.

With GroveFest approaching in October, we cannot allow a repeat of last night's Pride event.

We, the undersigned, are demanding that organizers and city officials commit to providing adequate security at GroveFest in October—not to police celebration, but to protect it. This includes:

-A strong, visible security presence throughout the festival
-Coordination with St. Louis police and private security firms
-Clear crowd control and emergency response plans
-Enforcement of respectful behavior
-Prioritization of LGBT community safety and neighborhood preservation

Pride and GroveFest are not just street parties. They are important cultural events rooted in the LGBT experience and the identity of The Grove. If we don’t take action now, we risk losing the very heart of what made this neighborhood special in the first place.

Please sign this petition to show your support for a safe, respectful GroveFest in October. Let’s reclaim our space, honor our community, and protect the future of LGBT events in The Grove.