Flagstaff hosts Pride in the Pines June 25

It was to be a joyous occasion, one where members of Flagstaff's LGBTQ community would gather and celebrate how far they'd come in their fight for acceptance and equality.

But in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, Pride in the Pines' raising of the rainbow flag in front of Flagstaff City Hall on June 23 will be part of a candlelight vigil honoring those killed in Orlando.

All are invited to show their support for the victims and their families, said Kathryn Jim, president of the Northern Arizona Pride Association. Victims will be remembered with a moment of silence.

"In the face of such unimaginable sadness, tragedy and loss we must remain united," Jim said. "We continue to have hope that someday these senseless acts of violence will be a thing of the past and we will be able to gather solely in celebration and no longer in tears."

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The flag-raising was intended to be a celebration, two days before the 20th anniversary of Pride in the Pines.

Jim noted now far the festival has come from its modest start as a picnic among those struggling for equal rights. On Saturday, June 25, organizers expect hundreds of attendees who will reaffirm hope in the face of adversity.

"We must not lose our humanity, or let acts of violence harden our hearts," Jim said. "We will move forward while never forgetting the enormous loss to our community."

The annual festival has always been about gay pride as well as connecting with the community as a whole. Attendees are asked to avoid outfits that could be considered inappropriate, and Jim said she has had to reject a few sponsors that may have pushed the envelope.

“We’re very family-friendly,” she said. “This is a great way to meet members of the community, who we hope will come away with an understanding of what Pride is all about.”

That doesn’t mean there won't be fun. More than 50 vendors will sell T-shirts, art and other items. A children’s area will have bounce houses, face painting and arts-and-crafts activities.

The festival has made great progress in 20 years, Jim said. The late 1990s are remembered as the "U-Haul Years," when drag queens prepped for their shows in the trailers.

After a few years, the event moved from Coconino County Fairgrounds to Wheeler Park near City Hall, more of a political move than anything else.

“We were fighting for acceptance,” Jim said. “We faced so much discrimination. We just wanted to be treated like everyone else.”

Acceptance did not come easily. Jim said many in the LGBTQ community still remember a banner hung near Wheeler Park. Its message was as succinct as it was hateful: "F**s go home."

Progress was slow but encouraging. The city has added domestic-partner benefits and a civil-rights ordinance protecting LGBTQ people. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.

Big steps to be sure, Jim said, but the fight against discrimination continues, particularly when it comes to gender identity.
“Transgender individuals face anger and misunderstanding,” she said. “That’s why Pride is still so important.”

The shootings in Orlando served as a grim reminder that some people are still motivated by hate.

As the rainbow flag is raised in front of City Hall, Jim said, she will remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"It is in that spirit that we mourn the victims in Orlando," Jim said. "It is in that spirit that we honor their memories by standing together and living our lives out loud and unafraid."

Rainbow Flag Ceremony

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23.

Where: Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.

Pride in the Pines

When: Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

Where: Thorpe Park ball fields, 191 N. Thorpe Road, Flagstaff. 

Admission: $15 online (available though June 20), $20 at the gate. Free for age 9 and younger.

Details: www.flagstaffpride.org/.