People in a growing North Carolina town celebrated Pride Fest and National Coming Out Day on Saturday. But the current political climate was never far from their thoughts.

Police officers watch from atop the Wake Forest Town Hall as people in rainbow clothing confronted a group that came to sing hymns and wave signs telling LGBTQ+ people to repent.

"If we're paying attention, we're seeing what could happen," said Wake Forest Pride Fest Co-Chair Amanda Cottrill. "History repeats itself, why it's so important for us to be learning and celebrating history."

People clapped and cried as author and former youth pastor John Pavlovitz alluded to anti-trans and other policies being pushed by President Donald Trump.

"We are going through it right now, but we're going through it together," he said, paced across a brass town seal. "We will not allow ourselves or the people we care about to be dehumanized or mistreated or erased. We will not stand for it."

Phoenix Bilodeau, who is trans, said they are always worried about violence when they attend such public events.

"They've already designated trans as terrorists," they said. "So, like, maybe next they're going to say, like, we're enemies of the state. I don't know. And, so, it's just scary, because you don't even know what's going to happen."

Local farmer Will Arterburn organized the hymn singing and lamented attempts by people with drums to drown them out.

"Because this particular event is directly against the scriptures and the teachings of the Bible," he said. "Sexual immorality on display in the public square. And we wanted to be here as a presence of light, to oppose the principalities and powers on display here."

Nikki Lyons laughed as she watched her 2-year-old daughter, Maeve, used a miniature Pride flag to joust with a blow-up man. She says events like this are more important than ever.

"We have to come together and stand against this administration," Lyons said, breaking down and stopping her daughter up in a hug. "Because we all deserve to be loved."