Latest news with #LatinXPride
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Uncertain times' for LGBTQ+ community. What Boise's mayor said at Pride event
Mayor Lauren McLean told the crowd on Saturday at Boise's first LatinX Pride that these are 'uncertain times,' that make people feel 'topsy-turvy.' Her speech comes amid the Trump administration's nationwide rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In some cases, corporate sponsors have pulled out of large pride events. 'We see you, we welcome you, we love you, we need you here,' McLean told the audience in Cecil D. Andrus Park. 'We will make it through these tough times better for it, stronger for it and more Boise than Boise's ever been.' Although polls show the term LatinX is unpopular with the Latino community, organizers said they wanted people to feel included. The festival comes at a time of uncertainty in Idaho for the LGBTQ+ community, in part because of anti-LGBTQ+ bills from the state Legislature. Boise Pride recently canceled a Pride Season Kickoff event scheduled for June 6, according to a news release, because not enough people were going to come. Boise's Pride Festival will be held in September. McLean, in an interview with the Idaho Statesman, said the energy Saturday was celebratory. Boise Pride is feeling the 'support that is truly indicative of the community that Boise is,' she said. The Trump administration also recently listed Boise as a 'sanctuary' city for immigrants, even though Idaho banned sanctuary cities two years ago. In her address, McLean said she wanted the Boise Police Department to strengthen its relationship with the immigrant community. On Saturday, music with Spanish lyrics blared out between speakers. Variants of the rainbow Pride flag lined a stone path. A line formed at a tent labeled 'Mexican Food' in red, white and green letters. The majority of LGBTQ+ adults have attended Pride events, according to recent polling from the Pew Research Center. And several attendees told the Statesman that LatinX Pride was not their first function. Michael Zieske, who identifies as Latin and gay, said he came to support the event. 'Latin is just more of the music, it's the way the energy goes off of versus just a regular Pride,' Zieske. 'They add the culture.' And Miguel Barrera, sitting with his partner in the shade, said cultural events are needed in Idaho. 'The Latin community is the backbone of Idaho,' Barrera said. 'It is Idaho.' Trump administration just listed Boise as an immigrant 'sanctuary.' But is it? A new Pride event is coming to Boise. Here's when, where and why
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A new Pride event is coming to Boise. Here's when, where and why
When Meridian resident Joel Camacho came out to his family at age 14, they weren't the happiest people, he recalled. Now, over two decades later, his mom will attend Boise's first LatinX Pride, an event that Camacho is helping to plan and arrange. Camacho, the lead organizer and head of fundraising, said he wants the inaugural LatinX Pride to be a space for families to heal. And although polls show the term LatinX is unpopular within the Latino community, he said the goal is simply to make all people feel included. 'I want to create a space for more older Latino generations to come and celebrate their gay uncles or gay sons or gay brothers or gay dads,' Camacho said. 'It's hard for us to feel that our entire self is being celebrated because there's a piece that's missing, and that is our Latino heritage.' LatinX Pride is free to attend and will take place May 31 at Cecil D. Andrus Park across from the Idaho Capitol, on the eve of Pride Month. Anyone is welcome to come, whether they are LGBTQ+ or Latino, Camacho said. Attendees will find a wealth of food, including empanadas, Caribbean dishes, tacos, quesadillas and more, Camacho said. The theme is 'La Diáspora,' or the diaspora. Camacho said it recognizes that Latinos come from many different backgrounds, different countries, and different racial identities or religious affiliations. 'There's no one-size-fits-all,' Camacho said. 'There's no one face.' Boise Mayor Lauren McLean will deliver the keynote speech. Idaho's LGBTQ+ community is at a crossroads, said Amanda Bladt, who is co-head of safety and volunteers for LatinX Pride. Idaho's Republican legislators continue to introduce anti-LGBTQ+ bills, they said, such as a memorial asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn gay marriage. Bladt identifies as genderqueer. Bladt said many LGBTQ+ Idahoans are trying to determine whether they should even stay in the Gem State. 'We want to have these amazing and joyful experiences that really celebrate the history of our communities,' Bladt said. 'LatinX Pride is about an intersection.' Although June is Pride Month, the Boise Pride Festival has made a permanent move to September, so that students who might be out of town in the summer have a chance to attend while school is in session. In particular, organizers have said it helps the Boise State LGBTQ+ community. Boise adds two official flags in latest jab at Legislature's new law Boise-area sheriff criticizes a new Idaho law he says police can't enforce
