Still Proud

When Denver hosted its first PrideFest 39 years ago, being gay was illegal in most states and the idea of gay marriage was inconceivable, says Rex Fuller of the Colorado Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center. “Our theme for this year is Same World Same Love. We’re talking about the...

By Kyle Harris

June 19, 2014

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When Denver hosted its first PrideFest 39 years ago, being gay was illegal in most states and the idea of gay marriage was inconceivable, says Rex Fuller of the Colorado Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center. “Our theme for this year is Same World Same Love. We’re talking about the fight for marriage equality going on in our state and across the country.”

While the spotlight will shine on marriage, other shadowy issues facing the LGBT community quietly inspire the event. “There are still a number of people in rural areas who might still be victims of violence and victims of discrimination,” Fuller says, citing the 300 trans-gender people killed around the world last year. (Transgender Europe’s Transrespect Versus Transphobia Worldwide project cites a bleaker number: 1,374.) “I think the fact that we’ve created this festival around being visible and celebrating diversity in all its different forms and welcoming people has had an impact over the years,” he adds.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow at Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue Parkway — with a parade heading out from Cheesman Park at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow and heading down Colfax to the Civic Center. There will be many side trips along the way, including the annual Denver Dyke March, the Big Gay 5K and performances by American Idol stars David Hernandez and Frenchie Davis. For more information, go to glbtcolorado.org or call 303-733-7743.
Sat., June 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., June 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2014

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