The Center Hosting Annual Holigay Event at Camp Christmas

Holiday cheer is in the air, and Queer Santa is checking her list for LGBTQ youth across the Denver area, with The Center on Colfax hosting their annual Holigay event this Saturday, December 11.

This year marks the 23rd year that volunteer Linda Warren (aka Queer Santa) has enlisted an army of “elves” to ensure any youth attending the weekend event receives a gift. Last year, she even handed out gifts in a drive-up event during the peak of the pandemic.

“Holigay is a treasured annual tradition for Rainbow Alley,” says Joe Foster, The Center’s VP of development and communication. “For many youth, this is their only chance to receive a gift they truly want and to be their most authentic self without fear of judgment from their peers or family who may not accept them. We are eternally grateful to our ‘Queer Santa’ Linda Warren and her co-chair Wendy Porbik for all their work to bring some of Colorado’s LGBTQ+ youth some rainbow cheer every holiday season.”

This year’s event will also look a little different, held at Camp Christmas, which features its own set of unique activities, including lights, music, and an audio tour. For more information on Camp Christmas, look no further.

There are three time slots available: 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. for the event, at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park in Lakewood, 801 S. Yarrow St. The event is free when you sign up in advance through Rainbow Alley, and youths ages 11-21 get a free gift as part of the event. Everyone must sign up in advance in order to get a free gift.

The event is open to LGBTQ youth, their family, friends, and allies. Organizers will also serve refreshments in the private Orchard Room, where masks are required.

For more information on The Center’s Holigay 2021 event, check out the event page here.

Photos courtesy of The Center on Colfax