Whatcom Youth Pride returns with this parade and festival
A parade and festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies returns this weekend after a three-year hiatus because of the COVID pandemic, with their excitement tempered by fear of protests over the event, organizers said.
“People are hungry for it,” said Holly Tobosa of Bellingham, a member of the Whatcom Youth Pride organizing committee, which scheduled several days of events leading to the parade and festival at Bellingham High on Saturday, June 4.
“It’s top of mind, especially with all that’s going on (politically),” she told The Bellingham Herald at a Queer Youth Open Mic on Wednesday, June 1 — a Youth Pride event that had to move from its original location because of threats.
“You don’t have to look any farther than tonight to see the power and the impact and the need,” Tobosa said.
About a dozen protesters stood outside the event’s original location at Wink Wink on Wednesday night, condemning the gathering and shouting homophobic slurs.
But a mile away at First Congregational Church, about 100 children, teens and their friends and families listened to an evening of music, poetry and stories told from the heart.
Participants described the joy of being loved by their parents and siblings for who they are — and the pain of rejection.
“It does get easier. It gets easier the more you are around people who accept you,” said one spoken-word performer. “It does get easier. But it also doesn’t.”
First Youth Pride
An estimated 1,500 people attended the first Whatcom Youth Pride parade and festival in June 2019, and organizers are expecting a bigger turnout, said Bethany Barrett, assistant principal of Sehome High and a member of the Youth Pride planning committee.
“(Supporting) queer youth is where we want to put our time and energy. In a world where we get negative messages all the time, it’s an opportunity to celebrate,” Barrett told The Herald.
“We’re lucky to have a school district that wants students to be their whole selves,” Barrett said.
Bellingham Public Schools is sponsoring Whatcom Youth Pride, along with the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation. Several local businesses and organizations, including Wink Wink and Homeskillet, contributed to the event.
“Our strategic plan, The Bellingham Promise, focuses on the belief that all children should be loved and that diversity enhances a strong and healthy community,” Said schools spokeswoman Jackie Brawley.
“We will continue to advocate for our students, staff, families and community members who identify as LGBTQ+ and partner with local advocacy organizations, such as Whatcom Youth Pride,” Brawley told The Herald in an email.
“When schools provide intentional and meaningful support to students who identify as LGBTQ+, they are less likely to experience bullying and their risk of suicide and depression decreases,” she said.
Bellingham Public Schools has faced criticism in recent months over its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Far-right groups and some parents have disparaged the school district and harassed some of its employees because of the district’s curriculum that includes age-appropriate lessons and reading material with gay, trans and bisexual characters.
Teachers and administrators have told The Herald in previous interviews that they hope to provide all students with “mirrors and windows” that show a broad range of human and cultural experiences, including LGBTQIA+.
Parade route, events
Saturday’s parade starts and ends at the corner of Halleck Street and Cornwall Avenue, across from Bellingham High.
Parade kickoff is at 10:30 a.m. and the procession heads south on Cornwall to Flora Street, turns west to Commercial Street, turns north past the library and City Hall, angles north on Young Street and turns east on Halleck to the high school, where a festival is scheduled until 2 p.m.
Food trucks will be at the school, and the festival features local community organizations, a drag show, a youth “maker space” and a queer youth art market, Whatcom Youth Pride said at its website.
A drag workshop was planned for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at 306 Flora St. A poster-making party was planned for 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the First Congregational Church.
Barrett and Tobosa said Whatcom Youth Pride members are grateful for the broad public support.
“Events like this don’t just support queer youth. They support the entire community,” Barrett said. “What’s dangerous is having a community that doesn’t support them.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Whatcom Youth Pride returns with this parade and festival."
CORRECTION: Sponsors and contributors were corrected June 3, 2022.
