Advocacy & Activism
Encourage all individuals to express their unique voices and authentic selves in order to effect positive change and safer spaces in our communities. This includes advocating for reform, connecting with local and state representatives, encouraging civic engagement, and making investments for the betterment of our communities.
Take Action
On November 2nd, we hosted a Community Forum on Visibility in Gypsum & Mountain Recreation. During that meeting, our community let us know that they wanted to continue advocacy and activism in our community and specifically, wanted to engage in conversation with the Town Council and let their voices be heard.
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Since that event, we have been even more so reminded of the need for our voices to be not only heard, but protected. The tragedy in Colorado Springs and the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that fills our country and community is a humble reminder of the importance of our mission and why representation matters now more than ever. These are not isolated incidents and the removal of the Pride flag in Gypsum has everything to do with this continued threat. In a terrorism advisory bulletin, the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday raised concerns about potential threats to the LGBTQ from violent extremists inside the United States. We must rally together to show up with and for our LGBTQ+ community.
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We invite all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to join us on Tuesday, December 14th at 6:45 PM at the Gypsum Rec Center to rally our community and create posters. We will walk over together to the Town Council Meeting, where we ask members of our community to sign up to speak for 3 mins on the importance of ongoing support, visibility, and advocacy from our elected officials and the towns that we live in. Visit our SIGN UP GENIUS to register for a public comment spot by Thursday, December 7, at 11AM.
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Anyone is welcome to join us for poster making at the Gypsum Rec Center starting at 5:30 and ending at 6:45 pm. We will have supplies and pizza!
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Learn more about this program and our efforts to continuously improve the lived experience of the LGBTQ+ community in the mountains of Colorado. All questions and concerns should be directed to Madison Partridge, Mountain Pride Executive Director, at madison@mountainpride.org.
Thank you so much for joining us in dialogue in vulnerability on November 2 as we discussed the Pride flag in the Gypsum Recreation Center. We appreciate each individual who bravely shared their lived experience, those who actively listened, and each person who showed up to support. As we continue to work towards visibility and celebration in our community, we ask you to join us in raising our collective voices.
8 major themes emerged with actionable next steps for our community. Check out the list of ways to further your engagement with LGBTQIA+ advocacy in our community.
1. Engage the Gypsum Town Council
So much of the impact from our community forum was the power of storytelling and sharing lived experiences.
Raise up your voice and email council@townofgypsum.com and copy madison@mountainpride.org with why LGBTQIA+ visibility is important to you and why the support from the TOG matters and letting them know that LGBTQ+ existence is not political, religious or ideological, and why we need their support.
Please join Mountain Pride in sharing your message with kindness, compassion, and education.
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2. Continue Dialogue with Mountain Recreation
Mountain Pride is in continued conversation and support of Mountain Recreation. We are meeting with their staff to determine next steps including but not limited to other visibility efforts through merchandise and community events including specific youth events.
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3. Spread Awareness
Put your Pride Flag
Bring Out your Pride Lives Here Sign
Ask your allies to support
Join the Pride Flag Pass
Share your voice with us
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4. Increase opportunities for Community Engagement
Get involved and build community by joining one of our FREE monthly events.
11/13 - Mountain Pride Friendsgiving Feast |Eagle | Potluck Style| Welcome to Everyone
12/2 - Pride Ice Skating Pool Party | Eagle Pool and Ice Rink
5. Focus efforts on education
Take an active role in continuing community dialogue and inclusivity by attending an event or hosting a Mountain Pride training in your community.
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12/14 - Attend our upcoming educational opportunity with Schuyler Bailar, the 1st trans-NCAA D1 men’s athlete. Register at www.mountainpride.org/events
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Email madison@mountainpride.org to schedule a training at your workplace.
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6. Support Youth In Our Community
Another topic discussed at the community event was the need for school-based programming.
If you know an LGBTQIA_ child or child who is interested in developing their empathy and skills as an ally while building a meaningful community, please reach out to Madison at madison@mountainpride.org to be connected with all the information about your local schools' Gender and Sexuality Alliance or inclusivity club. We have a club in each of the public high schools and middle schools in addition to Vail Mountain School.
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7. Vote In Your Local Election
Voting is one of the most important ways that we can shape the future of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer equality in Colorado. By voting in every election, and voting your whole ballot, we can continue to elect pro-equality champions who will fight for all LGBTQ+ Coloradans. Use the buttons below or visit onecolorado.turbovote.org to access all the resources you need (available in English and Spanish) to make your plan to vote.
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8. Donate
The Mountain Pride Board of Directors has stepped up to match up to $7,000 in donations to support our mission.
Whether $5 or $500, every donation is matched and matters to make our work possible.
GIVE NOW