Tucson Pride Parade and Festival is canceled

[ad_1]

The annual Pride in the Desert Parade and Tucson Pride 2021 Festival have been postponed for the second consecutive year due to concerns over the public health and safety of the Tucson community.

After analyzing COVID-19 risk factors from large gatherings, the Tucson Pride board of directors decided that postponing this celebration would be the safest and most responsible decision.

Pride in the Desert will be postponed to October 2022. Bill Travis, Tucson Pride’s public relations director, said it was a tough decision.

“We looked at it with the importance of people’s health. We wanted to make sure nobody got sick, ”said Travis.

MORE FROM THE DAILY WILDCAT

TIED TOGETHER: Tucson performance venues open to the public with new COVID-19 protocols

According to Travis, not having the Tucson Pride parade is a loss to the community. This lively event takes place once a year and gives people the opportunity to express themselves freely while promoting cultural and educational support for the LGBTQ + community.

“With the loss of this year’s event and last year’s event, I think we will come out better and stronger because of the anticipation for next year’s event that this organization continues to plan,” said Travis.

Tucson Pride has celebrated diversity and inclusion for nearly 40 years.

In 1976 Richard Heakin, a young gay man, was murdered in Tucson. This murder hit the city of Tucson, and in response, members of the community gathered to protest for a change that led to the formation of Tucson Pride.

The Tucson Pride Organization was founded in 1977 and is known as Arizona’s first and longest-documented LGBTQ + established organization.

Since then, Tucson Pride has provided a positive resource for the LGBTQ + community through its charitable events. During this celebration, attendees can get in touch with local food vendors, LGBTQ + services from allied organizations, free merchandise, drag shows, and more.

“This event is very important. It brings the community together where everyone can be themselves and the gay community is very diverse and this event is a celebration of diversity, “said Travis.

TIED TOGETHER: Concert review: Perfume Genius shimmers and shines at the Club Congress

Despite the difficult decision to postpone this event, supporters continue to band together, stand up for and train others.

Mari Nemec, president of the PrideLaw Organization at the University of Arizona, was discouraged when she heard of the cancellation of the annual parade.

This festival gives individuals the opportunity to support each other by celebrating and advocating for equal rights, which, according to Nemec, PrideLaw wants to offer through its program.

“PrideLaw tries to uplift our community, stand up for our community, and just be together. Even if big events like this are canceled, that doesn’t mean you can’t still support and be together on a smaller scale or in practice, ”said Nemec.

In addition to the annual parade and the Pride in the Desert festival, there are many other ways to celebrate LGBTQ + pride.

“I think Pride events get canceled here and there.

TIED TOGETHER: Mask requirement, tests and vaccinations: This is what the fall semester looks like for the University of Arizona

Austin Randall, desk assistant at LGBTQ Affairs at the UA, said there are many other ways individuals can keep in touch.

“I know canceling LGBT events in the area has been tough for many of the community, but we look forward to getting back into things, but in the meantime the LGBTQ Resource Center is a great point of contact,” Randall said.

LGBTQ Affairs offers a variety of community building activities such as providing safe spaces, movie nights, craft events and other activities that allow different members of the LGBTQ + community to feel welcome and accepted.

The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, LGBTQ + -oriented Greek Life, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, and Campus Health are other UA services that provide educational resources for people of all backgrounds, genders and sexualities.

Follow Abbie Kosoc on Twitter

Let us come to you. The Daily Wildcat, straight to your inbox. News. Science / health. Sports. Art / lifestyle. You choose. You can cancel at any time.

Join Now

[ad_2]