Giving Thought: Community coming together for Pride

June is wrapping up, but Pride Month is not over. This Pride, our community leaned deeper into collaboration to celebrate and demonstrate a commitment to creating a sense of belonging. Non-profits, city governments, and businesses have collaborated all month, especially this week. Youth and family events emerged throughout the region, ensuring that all had an opportunity to celebrate and participate.

Earlier this week, Cook Inclusive, AspenOUT, Aspen Youth Center, The Snowmass Collective, Stepping Stones, and Merrell came together to offer a Pride Hike in Snowmass. This no-cost event allowed youth across the region to unite in an inclusive environment. It provided free gear from Merrell to all participants to encourage them to get outside and enjoy the outdoors while removing barriers. Additionally, having Cook Inclusive — a local non-profit dedicated to providing therapeutic recreation and employment services to the Roaring Fork Valley disability, deaf+, queer, and neurodivergent communities — expanded the event’s ability to include populations who are often left out of outdoor events and activities.

Even though many visit our region to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation, not all youth have the appropriate gear or opportunity to recreate. This hike created a community space and the necessary equipment, removing barriers and promoting a sense of belonging while celebrating Pride and building community.

In addition to outdoor recreation, arts and culture also draw many to our region each year.

On Thursday, the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) kicks off its four-day mini-festival, Sounds of Pride, with its second annual free Community Pride Celebration on the David Karetsky Music Lawn. In addition to the kick-off celebration, the mini-festival includes public concerts, masterclasses, and pre-concert talks featuring works from Queer American composers.

“We are delighted to announce the return of our Community Pride Celebration for the City of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. More than just a party, this event embodies our community spirit and celebrates our shared humanity. Kicking off our 75th anniversary season, we proudly present ‘Sound of Pride,’ a four-day mini-festival honoring the legacy of LGBTQ+ musicians. It’s a perfect opportunity to introduce our student body to Aspen and demonstrate our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within our program,” said Asuza Chapman, vice president and dean of students at AMFS.

Sounds of Pride emerged in response to the AMFS’s IDEA committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) completing a demographic survey and recognizing that many LGBTQIA+ and nonbinary people visit Aspen for the summer. In response, a Community Pride Celebration was introduced to the AMFS lineup. This event has successfully brought together organizations from across the region to welcome children, families, and adults and demonstrate a commitment to belonging and inclusivity of the diverse population that makes our community more vibrant.

After last year’s inaugural event, AMFS is excited to welcome even more collaboration into this year’s Community Pride Celebration. This year, the city of Aspen, Aspen Snowmass (SkiCo), and Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) have all signed on to co-present the event, signaling an even more profound commitment to creating a welcoming community.

Alongside the co-presenters, the number of community partners participating has increased, indicating a further commitment to inclusion and belonging. Partners joining in this celebration include Aspen Chapel, Aspen Historical Society, Aspen Science Center, Basalt Regional Library, Buddy Program, Carbondale Clay Center, Community Health Services, DanceAspen, Farm Collaborative, Focused Kids, Free Mom Hugs, Gay for Good, Girl Scouts of Colorado, Independence Pass Foundation, Mind Springs Health, Mountain Pride, PFLAG, Pitkin County Library, Pitkin County Public Health, Response, Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, Recovery Resources, Wheeler Opera House, and YouthZone.

The celebration offers free ice from Sundae, a photo bus, face painters, lawn games, and entertainment from Dr. Zackarina Jenny-hoe, the Roaring Divas, and Kidtoons to add to the family-friendly atmosphere. The Farm Collaborative also plans to bring a baby goat named Pepper.

Today’s event runs from 4-6 p.m. and is open to the public.

Even one organization’s increase in commitment to inclusion and belonging is worth celebrating. When multiple organizations come together, the impact multiplies and the fabric of a community is strengthened. This Pride, our region is fortunate to have numerous collaborations coming together, uniting under the idea that everyone belongs and there is a place for all.

Allison Alexander is the director strategic partnerships and communication at Aspen Community Foundation. ACF, with the support of its donors, works with a number of non-profits in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. Throughout the year, we will work to highlight non-profits in the region.