Credit: The Photo Bus DNVR Courtesy of Victoria Brozek

This week, we celebrated love. The Boulder Pridefest, held last weekend, wrapped up a week of much needed love and support.  After such a trying year for the LGBTQ community, the city came together to celebrate the freedom to love one another.

For Victoria Brozek, a festival goer and self-proclaimed “hella gay participant,” Pridefest is, “inspiring in the way that the community comes together to celebrate different gender identities, relationships, and ways of life.” She adds that, “having [that] support is so important, especially when it may not be coming from other places.”

Many community members share this sentiment. Despite recent victories for marriage equality and an increasingly accepting public sphere, living outside of the heteronormative frame can be hard. The weekend’s festivities recognized this. With groups like Out Boulder County encouraging everyone to explore the supportive resources and community, the festivities provided a safe space.  A long line up of music and performances, including an all out dance party, emphasized just how beautiful and unique our community is. This gathering’s focus on positivity and acceptance reminds us all to embrace our neighbors. After all, Boulder is what it is because everyone is welcome.

Julia DeBell