Boulder Pridefest 2019 will be bigger and better than ever this year with something for everyone in the LGBQT community. The event, which runs from Tuesday, September 3, to Sunday, September 8, will include a visibility walk, a fun walk/run, a pre-party, vendors, a film, educational panels, performers, activities for youth and families, and more.
“This year, when you come to Boulder Pride, you will see a variety of people with a variety of thoughts and beliefs, but when you walk in, you will feel like you are at home, and it’s a celebration,” said Mardi Moore, executive director of Out Boulder, the group that organizes the event.
This year’s PrideFest falls shortly after the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City.
“We started by a small group of activists having a first Pride parade in Boulder that was a block long,” said More. That event was held after the passage of Amendment Two, and Moore still has the baton that was used in the parade stowed in her office. “Our roots are in Pride, so with it being the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, we know our place in the movement, and we know that we come out of that movement where you are fighting against an establishment that doesn’t see you, doesn’t value you, and actively works against you.”
The event has grown from that small community to one of the largest events in Boulder. The goal is to build bridges within the LGBQT community, as well as the community at large. Between 7,000 and 8,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Pride. The lineup of performers features old favorites and newcomers, including The New Family Recipe, a queer band; Cheer Colorado, an LGBQT-friendly cheer group; Neighbors Through the Wall, a solo performer; Samba Colorado dancers; and the Ricardo Pena Band, who play Latin rock.
Pride kicks off at 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, with a screening of the film State of Pride at the Dairy Arts Center. The documentary by YouTube activist Raymond Braun and Oscar-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman takes audiences on a cross-country trip to learn what Pride means to LGBQT people today.
On Wednesday, September 4, a family planning seminar featuring professionals involved in the foster care system will be held at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine from 4 – 6 p.m. It will cover options that LGBTQ community members have for starting a family.
A 50-plus mixer will be held at Under the Sun in South Boulder from 6 – 8 pm. on Thursday September 5. “As the LGBQT population keeps aging, we are looking at folks who are still going out and want to enjoy the aspects of the community,” said Juan Moreno, corporate sponsorship and special events manager for Out Boulder “It’s a really great event.”
The Pride pre-party, held Friday, September 6, is called “Riot at License Number One” in homage to the Stonewall Riots. “We wanted to encompass the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, where there is no specific dress code,” said Moreno. “We want people to get out there and be visible and come as they are.” The event features DJ Sinna-G from Denver’s Mix 100 a, as well as gogo dancers and performers from Boulder Burlesque. The pre-party runs from 7 – 2 p.m. at License No. 1.
One of Boulder Pride’s new offerings is a Gender and Name Change Clinic which will be held from 12 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, at the First United Methodist Church of Boulder.
The main celebration will be held 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 at Central Park with activities, Pride merchandise, vendors, photo booths, giveaways. and more.
The Visibility March will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with around 500 people expected to participate. The Rainbow Run/Walk 5K will kick off simultaneously at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Pearl and 11th Streets, and the course winds through Boulder Canyon and the Boulder Creek path before finishing at Boulder Central Park.
“It’s a beautiful course, and they will finish the race at the bandshell where everything kicks off,” said Moore. “The visibility march shows up at the same time; it is just exciting.”
Black Belly Restaurant is providing food for the VIP section, and Boulder Beer, which did a branding for Gender Fluid beer, will be providing beer as a Pride sponsor.
Other Boulder Pride sponsors include CGate Technology, The Boulder County Aids Project, Attention Homes, and the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence. Many community partners and sponsors will be setting up informational and educational booths for the event.
Since it’s important for Pride to reach LGBQT youth, the youth and family health and wellness area is placed prominently in the center of the fest for easy access and high visibility. “It’s really wonderful the way we have it set up in the central part, where they can participate in some family-friendly activities and things that are interactive for the attendees,” said Moreno.
Even though the event has gotten larger, it has not lost that small-community feel, noted Moreno. “There are those moments where you just stop and glance at the people there, especially the youth; they are just so happy to be in a safe space where they can be with their friends and just be themselves.”
To register or to learn more information, visit
outboulder.org/boulder-pridefest-2019 or email Juan Moreno at jmoreno@outboulder.org.
