This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
(Written by David Jarvis)
Presented by Mayor Brian J. Bagley, the Longmont City Council conveyed a proclamation designating the week of June 18-23, 2018, as "Longmont Pride Week."
Those present to accept the proclamation were Mardi Moore, executive director, Vanessa Ramirez-Mogren, community member, and Ravyn Wayne, treasurer of Boulder County's board of directors.
Out Boulder County is Boulder County's LGBTQ community organization providing support, advocacy and education to thousands of people in Boulder County.
Moore said, "The struggle for inclusion for the LGBTQ community continues, and some days, when many of us feel hopeless and light up the hateful rhetoric, along with damaging actions, this moment tonight is one that lightens our load."
Out Boulder County is hosting events from June 18-23.
According to the proclamation, "each year during the month of June, residents of Longmont join together to celebrate and honor history, diversity and the resilience of the LGBTQ
communities through Longmont Pride Week; and WHEREAS, Longmont has a diverse LGBTQ community that includes people of many ethnicities, religions and professions; and
WHEREAS, diversity is a community asset that enhances and enriches the lives of all community members; and WHEREAS, the City of Longmont reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTQ residents."
Festivities Surrounding Longmont Pride Week
Here is a list of events and activities celebrating Longmont Pride Week.
Monday, June 18
The Longmont Public Library will host their Rainbow Story-Time as a part of their Diversity Storytime Series from 6-6:30 p.m..
Families and children of all ages are invited to join. No registration is required, however space is limited to 120 people.
Longmont Public Library is located at 409 4th Ave., Longmont.
Monday, June 18
Out Boulder County is hosting Trans Voices on Main St. from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
This event will feature a panel of transgender community members, whom will share their stories and talk about their experiences. Out Boulder County feels that this is "a great chance to learn about diverse gender identities, life stories, and cultivate compassion and understanding in our greater community. If you’ve ever had questions or wanted to learn more about transgender people, this is a great chance to ask questions, interact, and be inspired by their journeys to live genuine and authentic lives," according to their website.
The event also includes time for guests to ask questions and make personal connections.
Tuesday, June 19th
KCP Art Bar, located at 364 Main St, Longmont, is hosting a QTPoC Happy Hour from 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
The QTPoC Happy Hour celebration will feature live music from local musicians such as: Destino, N3PTUNE, Prep Rally and Mica Ray. Happy hour priced drinks will be available as well as free food by locally-owned, LGBTQ-owned Latinx food truck, Summit Tacos.
Wednesday, June 20
Out Boulder County and the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging will host a 50+ LGBTQ Mixer on Main St. from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
"This event is open to LGBTQ folks and allies over 50," states the Facebook event announcement.
The mixer will feature a social gathering of the LGBTQ and Allied Community and will have refreshments on hand.
Thursday, June 21
Wibby Brewing, located at 209 Emery St., Longmont, and Out Boulder County are celebrating Longmont Pride Week with a Happy Hour and Celebration of Allies event from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 22
Out Boulder County and the Longmont queer community host Candyland, Longmont Pride 2018's official pre-party from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Trace Center for Integrative Art and Activism, located at 463 Main St, Longmont.
Attendees are invited to come in costume or as you are.
The event will feature Tito's Handmade Vodka, non-alcoholic drinks, food from Cuban Fusion and a cash bar.
Guests must be 21 and older, a part of the LGBTQ community or an ally. There is a $5 cover charge at the door.
All proceeds benefit Out Boulder County's programs and services.
Saturday, June 23
The Longmont Pride Festival will be held from 2-6 p.m. on 4th St. between Main St. and Emery St.
The festival will include a variety of activities including a photo booth, flash mobs and a dunk tank. Also in attendance will be community partners sharing information, Pride merchandise from Out Boulder County and multiple other vendors.
Longmont Public Library Host Author Finn Murphy as a Part of Their Authors We Love Series
The following is a press release from the Longmont Public Library and is published by the Longmont Observer as a public service.
"The Long Haul" takes a humorous look at how America has changed, as seen from the highways that criss-cross our country.
When Finn Murphy dropped out of college 30 years ago to become a long-haul trucker, he had no idea how much he'd learn about America and Americans behind the wheel of the 53-foot eighteen-wheeler he named Cassidy. But learn he did, and then he wrote a book about it, The Long Haul: A Trucker's Tales of Life on the Road. Murphy brings his humorous observations of life on the road and how America has changed to the Library in an author talk on Thursday, June 28, from 7 to 8 pm.
From the Florida Everglades, to Midwest truck stops, to the Rocky Mountains, Murphy spent years hauling people's possessions from one home to another, and along the way, he gained unique insights into how America and her tastes in culture and home furnishings have changed over the years. Amazon sums it up this way:
Through it all, Murphy tells poignant, funny, and often haunting stories of the people he encounters on the job: a feisty hoarder in New Hampshire; a Virginia homeowner raging when Murphy's truck accidentally runs down a stand of trees; an ex-banker in Colorado who treats Finn and his crew with undisguised contempt; a widow who needs Murphy to bring her archeologist husband's remains and relics to a Navajo burial ceremony in New Mexico. These experiences inspire Finn's memorable reflections on work, class, and the bonds we form with the things we own and the places we live.
Join us for this unique author talk, part of our Authors We Love series. Registration is required for this program and can be accomplished online at http://bit.ly/LibPrograms. No email address? Call (303) 651-8472 to register by phone.
This program is part of the Longmont Public Library's "Authors We Love" series. For more information and to learn about more upcoming author talks, visit: http://bit.ly/AuthorsWeLove.
