Local News

Local LGBTQ+ advocacy leaders reflect on a year of successes and challenges during Pride

Aspen Public Radio | By Eleanor Bennett

Published June 8, 2023 at 5:38 PM MDT

Co-founder of The Roaring Divas, Zen Fatale, and her fellow drag queen, Zamora, had their first performance at the inaugural Glenwood Pride in June 2022. The group will be performing again at this year’s Pride celebration on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Pride Month celebrations are kicking off here in the Roaring Fork Valley, starting with the second-annual Glenwood Pride this weekend.

The event takes place under the bridge at Bethel Plaza on Saturday, June 10 from 5-8:30 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural event was co-organized by the city and local LGBTQIA+ advocate Kaleb Cook of Cook Inclusive Company.

This year, more local advocacy groups have joined as official partners, including AspenOUT, Bluebird Café, Gay 4 Good, and Mountain Pride, among others.

LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups will have resources available and there will be live music from Party Party, local food and drink vendors, and lots of Pride swag.

The celebration also includes guest speakers, a special video address from Gov. Jared Polis, and a performance from the local drag queen group, The Roaring Divas.

Roaring Fork Valley locals and visitors attend the first annual Glenwood Pride celebration at Bethel Plaza in June 2022. Local resident Kaleb Cook of Cook Inclusive Company partnered with the city of Glenwood Springs on the inaugural event. — Roaring Fork Valley locals and visitors attend the first annual Glenwood Pride celebration at Bethel Plaza in June 2022. Local resident Kaleb Cook of Cook Inclusive Company partnered with the city of Glenwood Springs on the inaugural event and is helping organize this year's Glenwood Pride event too.

More Pride events are coming up in the valley later this month, including a MANAUS Equity Speaker Series presentation with a performance by drag queen Pattie Gonia at The Arts Campus At Willits on June 22 and a “Community Pride Party” hosted by AspenOUT and The Aspen Music Festival and School on June 29.

For many local LGBTQIA+ advocacy leaders, Pride Month is also a time to reflect on the successes and challenges over the past year.

Aspen Public Radio talked with Ashley Stahl, a board member of PFLAG Roaring Fork Valley, as well as The Roaring Divas’ co-founders Zen Fatale, and Bryan, also known as Ramona Chingona. (Both performers preferred to use their first name and/or drag name for this interview to protect their privacy.)

You can listen here to the conversation.