ALAMOSA — Over 125 people marched through downtown Alamosa on Saturday, Aug. 26, as part of the 2023 SLV Pride Fest parade that ended in Cole Park to welcoming festivities including music, speakers, and numerous booths from advocacy groups and vendors.
The website of SLV Pride states, "Gay pride or LGBT pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance."
At the outset of the parade that began and ended in Cole Park, Vince Alcon, SLV Pride co-president, implored the crowd that the word and message of the day was love.
"We are here and we are doing this because of love," cheered Alcon, who was sporting a green jumpsuit with "Gay" printed in large letters on the back. He cautioned the marchers that the group "might encounter some hate on the way, but that is the world.” What are we going to do asked Alcon who led the group who resoundingly responded, "spread love!" There were no opponents along the mile-long route.
While there were no disturbances during the march or at Cole Park on Saturday the rainbow flags that SLV Pride had on Main Street in Alamosa were removed and "dumped," at Alamosa City Hall with a "nasty" note. After the flags were repatriated with SLV Pride and put back up they were again stolen, according to Grantly Showalter with SLV Pride, who told the Valley Courier, "Someone took our flags, but you can't take our pride." A police report has been filed with the Alamosa Police Department according to Showalter.
Sandra Gavin of Alamosa, who carried a SLV Pride banner in the parade said, "For me, it is about being yourself, being your genuine self, being able to represent for others that love and that sense of community. This is a big piece of representation and community. We are here together, strong and here no matter what obstacles."
Alamosa City Council member Dawn Krebs addressed the crowd at Cole Park and said "It is an honor to be here today, not only because I can see so many of my friends out there, I also want to recognize this is the fifth pride festival in Alamosa. At the very first pride fest, we got a proclamation from the state, and I think on this anniversary there needs to be a little reminding to be done." Reading the proclamation Krebs said, "Whereas, the San Luis Valley has a diverse lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and queer population and is committed to supporting visibility, dignity, and equity for all people in the community." The proclamation was signed by Governor Jared Polis in August 2019.
Krebs was wearing a t-shirt from the group, Free Mom Hugs. Local representatives from the organization, Shanna McRae, Angie Pagliarulo, and Deja Pena, were at the festival offering free hugs to anyone who wanted them. The group was founded in 2015 by Sara Cunningham, a Christian mother who initially rejected her son's gay sexuality that conflicted with her faith. After a long introspective search of her spirituality and beliefs, she eventually accepted her gay son and soon went to a pride festival and offered "mom hugs," to anyone who wanted one. The group now has chapters in 50 states and bills itself as "A nationwide movement of love, visibility, and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community."
Other groups present in Cole Park were the Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, the Democratic Party, San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center, Be You Colorado, a sexual health resources organization, and bc4u.org, a sexual and reproductive health clinic.
Alamosa School District Assistant Superintendent Luis Murillo addressed the crowd and offered this personal narrative, "I was reminded of my journey as an immigrant. My parents brought me to the States when I was 12 years old. Coming from Mexico, I did not know English. I was not accustomed to the culture, diversity, or how things were done. I felt different, I felt like I was not part of the norm. Within a few weeks of being in a new country, I was called a Wetback and told to go back to my country, simply for being brown. As a young kid, I didn't understand. I often thought, what did I do wrong? I became afraid, shy, withdrawn, and kept to myself."
Murillo then detailed his experience of having an eighth-grade teacher who noticed his potential and through the encouragement and guidance of this teacher, Murillo was able to gain self-confidence, overcome his fears, and thrive.
“Today, the theme of Pride Fest is 'Embrace Your Rainbow', back then for me, embracing my rainbow was being OK with being an English learner. Today, I love my accent," said Murillo.
The mission of Alamosa schools is "To provide a safe, and inclusive learning environment, that we are to challenge students to have authentic learning experiences and we are to prepare students to thrive in our community and beyond."
In a post-event wrap-up, Showalter with SLV Pride said, "The event went really well, all of our events were well attended. The support from the community was tremendous, everyone is welcome in Alamosa. We are grateful City Council member Krebs was in attendance and read from the proclamation."
