First ever Orcas pride event coming to Village Green

Sunday, June 23, 12 – 5 p.m., Village Green

— from Laura Kussman —

Calling all Orcas Island allies! Time to dust off those pride flags from 2013 and fly them free.

The inaugural Orcas Island Pride event is taking shape on stage in the Village Green on Sunday, June 23 from 12-5 p.m. This is an invitation to celebrate expression, engage with local organizations who provide support and resources for our LGBTQIA+ community, including the Orcas High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and learn about the history of Pride and queerness. All are welcome to contribute and explore. This is an opportunity to spend time with the idea that world peace starts at home.

“I can donate a ton of fishnets,” organizer Noah Sheppard said.

It’s been six years since an Orcas letter to The Sounder attracted the most online attention in the publication’s history regarding the removal of a Brown Bear Bakery pride flag after anonymous complaints came in proclaiming its offensiveness — the offensiveness of expression — something so soft, anodyne, and non-threatening.

The subsequent positive outpouring of support was loud and heart-warming, and while Orcas Island had the highest show of support in the state for same-sex marriages (74 percent voted yes), that still means about one in four people were against equality.

In a time when Presidential policy requires express permission for rainbow pride flags to be flown at US embassies, with zero approved requests so far, we must unite locally.

What messages are being spread to our most marginalized and at-risk identity groups in America today, when we are privileged enough to deny the simple flying of a flag?

Event Chair Maddie Olson commented in a planning meeting, “this organizing needs to be intersectional, if it isn’t intersectional, it can’t happen. Orcas is a homogeneous community, but that doesn’t mean we can’t represent different perspectives and narratives. We are doing what we can this year with 16 days to concept, plan and execute this event to include individuals with lived experiences. If anyone would like to get involved, please reach out.”

The first Orcas pride event includes hourly performances by local musicians, themed dance bouts (disco, baby) by local DJs, and gay open-mic for music, dance, and spoken word. If you would like to get involved with performances, please email orcasislandpride@gmail.com.

Local organizations will guide us through information on Queer history and gay flagging history. Play in an “Explore Your Gender” dress up booth, an arts and crafts corner, and a photo booth. Restore and relax in the sunshine. If you would like to get involved with ARTS AND CULTURE, please email orcasislandpride@gmail.com.

Orcas Pride is a family-friendly event sponsored by San Juan County Parks & Fair. Bring a picnic, snacks and your water bottle — picnic blankets will be available. Water will be provided, however, this is an intentionally waste-free, money-free event with no food or beverage vendors.

If you would like to show support, come to the Hairy-oke (karaoke with wigs!) kick-off party for Orcas Pride at the Lower Tavern on Friday, June 21.