The theme of this year’s Denver Pride Parade is “Be Proud Out Loud” with the intent on celebrating community engagement and empowerment efforts. Organizers behind the parade say that they carefully selected participants for this year’s event. The Center on Colfax, which is producing the parade, has officially announced the Grand Marshals for the 2023 Denver Pride Parade. Here are the organizations and individuals who will be represented in this year’s procession.
This year’s Grand Marshals include The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, Inside out Youth Service Transparenting Group, Denver city councilwoman Robin Kniech, the survivors of the Club Q tragedy, and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Denver. There was no official voting process that took place to determine those who were selected. The representatives for this year’s Denver Pride Parade were established after several conversations among the community.
“It’s always somebody’s first Pride,” says Rex Fuller, CEO of The Center on Colfax, “It is not always friendly out there. So our goal is to create an overall event that is welcoming and as inclusive as we can make it and do that as a way to celebrate each other and celebrate our community.”
This year’s parade will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, which is the oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender organization in Colorado. With over 65 chapters across the U.S., the International Court System is the second largest LGBTQ+ organization in the world.
PFLAG assists with effecting community change through education and advocacy. The goal of PFLAG is to achieve full equality for everyone who exists within the LGBTQ community. This year, PFLAG is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.
With a focus on intersectionality, nourishment, self-expression, and community engagement, Inside Out Youth Services Transparenting Group is a support, resource, and advocacy group for parents and families of transgender and nonbinary youth in Colorado Springs. The group is built around an ethos that provides access, equity, and empowerment to LGBTQ young people. Leadership, advocacy, community building, education, and peer support, are values of Inside Out Youth Services Transparenting Group.
Another Grand Marshal that will be appearing at the parade is Denver city councilwoman Robin Kniech, the first out, LGBTQ member to be elected to Denver City Council. She is the longest sitting elected official to serve in a single office in Colorado.
Not to go unmentioned are the survivors of the Club Q tragedy. Expressing a sincere desire to honor those who were impacted by this heartbreaking event, The Center on Colfax has offered those involved that night the opportunity to Grand Marshal the Denver Pride Parade.
“We are excited to honor these amazing community activists,” says Fuller. “Our Grand Marshals are leading the fight against oppression and giving voices to the historically underrepresented. We are honored to march with them together in pride and unity.”
Opening in 1976, The Center on Colfax is the largest LGBTQ community center in the entire Rocky Mountain region. The focus of the Center is to engage, empower, enrich, and advance the queer and trans community in Colorado. It achieves this through providing access to programs and resources to LGBTQ members so that they can live happy, healthy, productive lives.
Hundreds of thousands of guests are anticipated to attend this year’s parade on Sunday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. The Denver Pride Parade covers 14 blocks on Colfax Avenue starting from Cheesman Park and ending at Denver’s Civic Center, where attendees can continue with PrideFest celebrations including live music, food, games, and community engagement.
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