One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Coloradans and their families, is excited to join Coloradans across the state celebrating Pride 2023!
This year, nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country, including right here in Colorado. We’ve seen targeted attempts to criminalize our community’s most vulnerable members: LGBTQ+ youth and trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks. Pride month is a time for our voices to be heard. This month should not be used as a platform for rainbow capitalism, but as a platform to demand our right to live authentically, to be respected, and to have equal rights under the law. We must stand together and speak out until our entire community is safe!
When we stand together, lead our communities, and lend support for all to thrive, we will achieve our shared goals of living a life full of joy and authenticity. Yes, we are all experiencing immense challenges, AND we are still here! We are a community built on resilience, love, and inclusivity, and we will not be destroyed. We will continue to protect our rights, defend our existence, and celebrate our joy!
Pride month is a time to celebrate who we are and how far we have come, especially in Colorado. In the 1990s, when Colorado was known as the ‘Hate State’, the possibility of Colorado being a leader in the nation for LGBTQ+ equality was merely a hopeful wish. Today, in Colorado we must not take our advancements towards equality for granted.
So far in 2023, we have witnessed an unprecedented rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in state capitals, school boards, and political campaigns, as well as increasing transphobic and homophobic rhetoric across the country. Pride must serve as a reminder that our work is not finished until we ALL have an equal opportunity to live successful, healthy, authentic lives.
Progress does come! It will come from community members who put in the work to carve a better path forward. During the month of June (and beyond), we hope LGBTQ+ Coloradans and allies can safely attend a Pride event near them while keeping in mind our history, present circumstances, and the future we would like to create for ourselves. Happy Pride!
2023 Colorado Pride Event Highlights: More at one-colorado.org/pride.
-Leadville Pride | June 17
-Black Pride Colorado’s Queer Cookout | June 18
-One Colorado’s Pink Party | June 24
-Denver Pride | June 25-26
-Pueblo Pride | August 20
-Grand Junction Pride | September 7-11
One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families.
