Hundreds of participants and parade-goers, some caked in makeup, sequins and rainbow flags, danced through the streets of Kansas City’s annual Pride Parade and festival last weekend. Floats ranged from local Westport bar Missie B’s re-imagining of the classic Little Mermaid tale with drag performers, to a band of older men sitting in a cart, playing The Weather Girl’s hit “It’s raining men,” on trumpets and trombones. “You better work it,” shouted a pair of parade-goers watching performers strut through the streets. The two people, who were dressed in drag, did not feel comfortable sharing their names for fear of retaliation. That sentiment echoed among at least a dozen others The Star tried to speak to in the crowd. While many expressed gratitude for the city-wide celebration and its inclusive message, they also said recent state legislation and anti-LGBTQ fervor had left them feeling that unabashed pride may make them vulnerable to either hatred or violence. Read more about the ...