The current president of the Northern Arizona Pride Association (also known as Flagstaff Pride) is set to end a six-year term at the helm of the LGBTQIA2S+ organization, with longtime board member Zane Jacobs set to replace him in June. ing. On the brink of this exciting change, both Jacobs and Taylor will soon be singing each other’s praises and what each brings to the organization, while another glorious event, Flagstaff’s first Pride There is a parade.

“It’s the first time in Flagstaff,” said Taylor. “So this is monumental and historic. We’re really making history here, and that’s the point. [the parade] means visibility. ”

The Pride in the Pines Festival on June 17 will follow a similar format to previous years, with a drag show (36 drag performers with their own dedicated stage, including one of RuPaul’s fame), food, dancing and local entertainment. access and information to a variety of LGBTQIA2S+ resources, including an afterparty at the Orpheum Theatre.

The parade kicks off the festivities at 9am. Following the same route as the Independence Day and Holiday Parade of Lights processions, it will lock down much of downtown so it can be seen and heard symbolically.

“This ‘visibility’ is especially important. We are your family, we are the owners of this town, we are part of this community, big We are part of this community and we celebrate it. said Jacobs. “And after 27 years, it’s time to parade.”

Only a handful turned out at Fort Tuthill County Park for the first-ever Pride in the Pines, but thousands sold tickets last year.

The parade comes at a time when anti-trans laws are becoming more prevalent not only in Arizona, but across the country.

“The LGBTQIA2S+ community is here and needs to be recognized as the vibrant community they bring to Flagstaff. What they bring to the community in terms of work and momentum. It’s also about celebrating yourself, especially with everyone. [anti-trans] The bill is passing,” Taylor said. “This parade is a statement.”

As of the date of this article’s printing, the Arizona legislature has introduced a series of bills that are expected to be vetoed once they reach Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk, according to the Human Rights Campaign. However, it represents a surge of anti-trans sentiment in the state.

SB 1001 makes it illegal for teachers and other school personnel to use transgender or nonbinary student pronouns without parental written permission. SB 1005 would expose the school to “threat of lawsuits for providing a supportive and positive space for LGBTQ+ students,” and SB 1040 would allow trans students and school staff to challenge their gender identities. It will prohibit the use of matching toilets. SB 1040 also allows schools to sue if they share toilets or “similar school facilities” with transgender people.

“A whole new layer has been added to this year’s Pride in the Pines motto, ‘Let’s march together,'” Taylor said, referring to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.

It’s important to reiterate that for both Taylor and Jacobs, the first ever Pride was a riot against police discrimination against homosexuals, not to mention pioneered by two trans women. The ensuing march on Christopher Street, where New York City’s bars used to be, will always remain the backbone of Pride and its parades, even as far as northern Arizona.

“What does this parade represent?” Taylor said. “This represents the very first Pride Parade. It represents Stonewall, it represents the Compton Cafeteria Riot, it represents Harvey Milk, it represents everyone.”

The parade is also the result of the organization’s new strategic plan, developed in collaboration with the Phoenix Philanthropy Group. The plan is based on nearly 40 hours of interviews with stakeholders and members of the community, and what respondents said they wanted from their organization.

“We took all the information, good and bad, and talked about it. We asked ourselves, ‘Are we doing right or wrong? It was really eye-opening,” Taylor said. “We sought and listened to people’s opinions.”

“And I think we’re starting to reflect that now,” Jacobs added. “I think the community recognizes that, too.”

The mission statement, which is also part of the strategic plan, reads:

“We envision Flagstaff and northern Arizona where LGBTQIA2S+ people are welcomed, supported, and can live safely, authentically, and free of discrimination, prejudice and prejudice.”

“Literally we have to march,” the document reads.

“All of this leads us to our ultimate goal: ‘What do we want to be when we grow up?'” Jacobs said. “We are committed to empowering our stakeholders, our communities and our brothers and sisters – young, old and everyone in between – and a platform to give them the resources they need. We want to become an organization that will become

For him, that exaltation came in the form of a long-awaited community resource center, which is becoming a reality by the day. Medical, psychiatric, and other resources are just a small part of the center, and Jacobs hopes the center will become a hub throughout northern Arizona. That and a continued focus on diversity will be central to his presidency.

“It’s very important. We BIPOC and queers of color don’t necessarily attend these festivals. We didn’t always see them on stage,” he said.

Both Jacobs and Taylor have spent much of their careers working with the Shadows Foundation, which provides financial assistance to people living with life-threatening illnesses. Taylor joined Flagstaff Pride as a volunteer and has been an important part of Flagstaff Pride ever since. organization. They also became close friends. While it will be bittersweet for Taylor to leave the presidency, both sides will defend each other, champion change, and all for the future of Flagstaff Pride.

“Of course I’m excited, I’m nervous, but most of all I’m just excited to see it evolve,” Jacobs said. “And hopefully I can take it [Pride] It’s just part of the way Deb took it. The board is great and we are a family and support each other so I think it is possible. You can see the resource center, and you can see the Northern Arizona allies. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this community and to call Flagstaff home. ”

The first-ever Flagstaff Pride Parade kicks off at 9am Saturday, June 17, with former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans serving as Grand Marshal.

“My hope is that this parade will be like the 4th of July parade, but only with a sea of ​​rainbows and transgender flags,” Jacobs said.

For more information on Flagstaff Pride in the Pines 2023, including location, start times, and more, please see below. flagstaff pride.org. Flagstaff Pride will also host a First Friday Art Walk at Heritage Square on Friday, June 2nd. The event includes drag story hours, drag shows, DJs and more.