Black Pride Colorado hosted Black Pride Week from June 8-15. The events during the week included a Gospel brunch, a drag show, a happy hour, a gala, and ended with a family celebration cookout in collaboration with YouthSeen at the Sie FilmCenter. YouthSeen is a Denver-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the social and emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. It provides resources, case management, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on the BIPOC community.
“This ain’t just a cookout—It’s the cookout. The one where Frankie Beverly is on loop, aunties are two-steppin’ with paper plates in hand, and chosen family is gathered under the sun in full joy. Expect good food, laughter, music, games, and community energy that feels like home. It’s a celebration of us, for us, and with us—kids, cousins, and cool uncles included.”
It was a beautiful day for this family event that had live entertainment, food vendors, a castle bounce house, informative booths from local businesses, a community collaboration board, and more. From the moment you entered the lot, there were rainbow ribbons blowing in the wind, welcoming you into this safe space. The first wall asked attendees to share their personal Queer Joy with the world—which had my heart buzzing with hope and love as I read the responses.
The live performances were moving, energizing, and celebratory. In-between acts, families got to play together at the bounce house, dunk tank, coloring table, or gathered around a table enjoying a meal.
Some of the organizations that were present at the event included:
One Colorado: the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families.
Soul2Soul Sisters: a Black-led, love-based, racial justice non-profit organization focused on Black healing and liberation. They work in four key areas: Black health, ending anti-Black racism, reparations, and civic engagement/policy.
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition: is a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating the overuse of the criminal justice system and promoting community health and safety.
Planned Parenthood: offering women of all kinds and people with vaginas healthcare and reproductive health support.
Vivent Health: offering lifesaving HIV prevention services via testing, prevention support, PrEP, clean syringe access, Fentanyl test strips, Naloxone, and substance use treatment.
Bee the Vibe: providing outreach and education by distributing harm reduction tools and resources, rapid testing sites and STI take home kits, peer prevention services via peer coaching, and tools for safer sex and drug use.
ViiV Healthcare: a global HIV company dedicated to developing and delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV.
Flamboyán Theater: a multi-platform arts space for Puerto Rican stories to be told, and to support musicians, poets, and artisans using a community-based collaboration model which celebrates all Latin American communities.
And, of course, OFM!
Photos by Becky Duffyhill. Follow her on Instagram @beckyduffyhill.creative. See more of her work here!
Scroll down for more photos from the event.
