A rainbow flag symbolizing “Progressive Pride” rose over Pearl Street in downtown Boulder on Wednesday afternoon, during OUT Boulder County’s “Rainbows Over Boulder” event to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month.
OUT Boulder County’s Executive Director Mardi Moore kicked off the program with a speech in which she acknowledged the hardships faced by the LGBTQ+ community – particularly in today’s political and social climate – and thanked attendees for their support and pressed the importance of voting in upcoming elections.
“The attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans youth, are on the rise … It’s not a great time to be LGBTQ+. If you look at the hate crime numbers, the numbers are up; if you look at suicide rates, the incidents are up. It’s not a great time to be queer, so I come into the month with some trepidation,” Moore said.
With that, “the time is now to activate. The time is now to hang your flag, and the time is now to stop the hateful rhetoric that’s focused and pointed to LGBTQ+ young people and adults. And with all the pride I can find today, and with all the hugs I’ve received today, I think it’s going to be a happy (Pride Month),” Moore added.
Boulder City Council Member Nicole Speer declared June 2022 as Pride Month and urged all Boulder residents to “continue building a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance.”
“The city of Boulder honors its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTQ+ community members, and stands hand in hand with them in the continued fight for full equality,” Speer said.
Later, live music played by Mile High Freedom Band and community members decked out in rainbow attire cheered while OUT Boulder County’s Juan Moreno raised the rainbow flag over the intersection of Pearl Street and Broadway Street.
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