Community worries youth will be excluded from Pocatello Pride
The pre-event for Pocatello Pride kicks off on June 22nd. The annual event brings the community together and celebrates the LGBT community. However, some community members expressed concerns that the event only caters to a certain group of people, anyone who is over 21.
The pre and post Pocatello Pride events are held at Club Charley’s, a gay bar in Pocatello.
“Pre-pride events and post-pride events are generously donated by Club Charley’s, the owner is extremely generous to the LGBT community,” commented Kevin Lish, the board chair of All Under One Roof.
But some said it was not Club Charley’s they had an issue with, but rather the event organizer itself, “All Under One Roof”. The concerned community members said they want All Under One Roof to include more family friendly activities at Pocatello Pride because the LGBT youth in Pocatello needs to be better supported.
“There is a distinct group of people that are being left out of that situation and its people under 21, and these are the people most at risk,” commented Joseph Crupper, a drag queen in Pocatello.
However, All Under One Roof said that they do a lot for the youth in the area, everything from STI testing to providing their office to groups who need a place to meet.
To create a more inclusive environment for LGBT allies and the LGBT community, they plan on hosting a family friendly picnic prior to Pocatello Pride.
“We want this to not feel like its usurped, or that we are trying to undermine everything that All Under One Roof does. They are a very much needed resource in the community,” said Anna Reed-Spencer, an activist in Pocatello.
Despite potential differences, All Under One Roof and concerned community members voiced the same thing, they want to support the LGBT community.
All Under One Roof said if someone is interested in going to Pocatello Pride but cannot afford it, they can get a free ticket to the event just by volunteering for a couple of hours during the festivities. If you are interested in learning more about Pocatello Pride, or learning how to volunteer at the event, click here.
