Colorado Springs has hosted a Pride Parade since 1990; 32 years! Some aspects of the parade have changed from time to time, particularly during two years of COVID-19 when participants caravanned together throughout the city instead of walking. The one thing that has stayed the same, is the support and love the community shows during pride week and particularly during the parade.

Black Forest Community Church became an open and affirming congregation in 2017 after going through a one-year intense process through the United Church of Christ. We have been participating in the parade for four years now, ever since Marta Fioriti became our pastor. She challenges us to go beyond just having a piece of paper that says we are open and affirming to actually walking the walk with our beloved LGBTQAI2+ community. We hang our “God is still listening” pride flag during pride month, take classes to learn what it really means to be open AND affirming and participate in parades and protests. We have also recently started collaborating with Inside Out Youth Services to create a safe space at our church for the youth in our community.

One of the biggest challenges our church faces is we are the only open and affirming, gay friendly, safe space community in Northern El Paso County and are in the heart of a very conservative area.

We asked a few of the people planning to attend this year why it is important for them to participate in this parade. Here is what they had to say:

“I walk in the Pride Parade to support and encourage our LGBTQ community. Plus, it’s fun!” Janet 

“I am marching in the Pride Parade this year to show my support to all of my LGBTQAI2+ friends and family. By marching, I am saying that I appreciate and love all of who they are, as well as how they choose to express themselves, in all aspects of their lives. By marching, I am a public witness who says that the LGBTQAI2+ community has value and dignity and deserves to be treated as such!” – Robin

“After participating in the 2020 Pride Parade, I knew this was a turning point for me. So many people have been and are still being marginalized and ostracized for just being true to who they are. So, although we are all different is many ways, in reality, as humankind, we are the same. Let’s put KIND back in HUMANKIND again!”

“The Pride Parade is near and dear to my heart as I have several family members and friends who belong to the LGBTQAI2+ community. My family still teases me because it took me awhile to figure out my brother is gay, but my response is, it’s because I don’t care; I deeply love and respect him no matter what, because he is a good, kind and loving human being. I don’t care if someone if gay, lesbian or transgender. What I do care about with any human being, is how they treat others. I am not impressed with people who are privileged, educated or wealthy, but are cruel, bigoted, racist or judgmental; I am not impressed with how perfect a Christian someone pretends to be if their actions include spewing hate and treating others they have deemed as a sinner and unworthy, in an unkind and unforgiving manner. What I respect in people, is what is in their heart and spirit; how they treat me, my loved ones and the world. The LGBTQAI2+ community are some of the most loving people with the most beautiful spirits I have ever met. My goal and my challenge to the rest of us, is to try to be more like them; imagine what the world would be like then!” ~ Leslie

“As a 65-year-old, I walk for those of my generation who were never allowed this opportunity. I walk for inclusiveness, acceptance, kindness and love.” Diane

 

“Why do I march in Pride? That's a good question and one I have spent many hours pondering. I am a cis, straight, Christian, married mother of two and I take part because I can't not march, because it's the right thing to do, because it's fun, because it makes me feel like I belong. The God I believe in teaches me that EVERYONE matters and deserves RESPECT and AFFIRMATION, especially folks that have historically had to fight for it. With queer folks being attacked from many different Christian groups, I think it is especially important for us as Christians to be vocal about this truth.” - Cindy

Hope to see you at the parade; make sure to come and say hi!