June marks Pride Month, and communities throughout Wyoming are coming together to celebrate love, resilience, and diversity, Wyoming News Now reports.
Wyoming Equality, a statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, describes this time as an important opportunity to recognize and uplift queer voices across the state.
Sara Burlingame, Executive Director of Wyoming Equality, expressed optimism about this year’s Pride events.
“The state of the state for Pride this year is really strong,” Burlingame said, noting that several smaller towns are hosting their first-ever Pride celebrations. “All of these local Wyomingites claiming Pride Month as their own, and loving their state, are making the should-be-unobjectionable claim that, of course, we all belong here.”
Despite the positive momentum, Burlingame also acknowledged ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Wyoming amid a tense political climate.
“Books about us are being banned, mention of us is being stripped from the history books,” she said, highlighting concerns over censorship and exclusion.
Wyoming Equality’s mission centers on achieving equity for all queer residents by fostering inclusive communities, influencing public opinion, and securing policy wins.
“We’re a really freedom-loving state, and we want to make sure that everybody feels like they have freedom here,” Burlingame added. “Today, like every day, we work to make Wyoming better and serve the community.”
Local Pride events are scheduled throughout the month. In Cheyenne, Pride celebrations include Karaoke at Blue Raven on Saturday, June 14th at 6 PM, and a streetfest on Saturday, June 21st from noon to 6 PM. Casper will hold its Pridefest on Saturday, June 14th, from 10 AM to 2 PM at David Street Station.
As Wyoming communities mark Pride Month, the blend of celebration and ongoing advocacy reflects both the progress made and the work still ahead for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the state.
