The Idaho Falls Moms Blog is excited to feature Idaho Falls Pride, Inc. as our nonprofit for August 2020. Eastern Idaho is fortunate to have a wealth of nonprofit and service organizations. By highlighting some of these groups, we hope to encourage moms and families to get involved and learn about all that our wonderful community has to offer.
Eight years ago, two LGBTQ+ allies, Dan Henry and Dave McGrath, spearheaded the first Idaho Falls Pride Parade. The board of directors is now comprised of primarily LGBTQ+ individuals but also has allied members. Current Idaho Falls Pride, Inc. board president, Johannah Thompson, says “it is amazing that a small group of allies stood up for the LGBTQ members of their community and created an event to celebrate and encourage living your authentic life,” and feels that this “speaks volumes of the good-hearted people in our community.”
This community involvement ties in well with the core values of Idaho Falls Pride – inclusivity, respect, and integrity. Inclusiveness, respect, and integrity are shown to “all people whether it be through volunteering in the community, speaking to groups, or celebrating Pride.” This is highlighted in their mission statement: Through service and personal interaction, create opportunities for all people to be seen as people.
The first Idaho Falls Pride Parade was held in 2013 and Idaho Falls Pride continues to organize a community Pride celebration each year. Idaho Falls Pride also participates in other 501c3 events such as the Great Race for Education held by the College of Eastern Idaho and volunteers with agencies like the food bank. Fundraisers such as HalloQween, a drag show/dessert auction that was held last fall, are also being organized to raise money for hosting the Pride event. The funds from the HalloQween event assisted with making Idaho Falls Pride accessible to everyone by providing a sign language interpreter and a tent for those with sensory needs.
As with most events, this year’s Idaho Falls Pride will be done with a digital twist. The event will begin Friday, August 28th, with a free Charlie’s Angels online drag show. Saturday’s event is usually done as a parade around the Idaho Falls Greenbelt, but will be substituted with an online “selfie, music, and vendor spotlight parade.” Idaho Falls Pride will also hold its third youth forum and “Story Time with the Queens” for children.
All of the Idaho Falls Pride events during the weekend of August 28th are free and will be available online for our community. “Share Pride not germs!”
To assist Idaho Falls Pride with their dedication to inspiring hope and belonging in the LGBTQ+ and allied community, or for more information regarding Idaho Falls Pride, please visit idahofallspride.com, or contact Johannah Thompson, President, via email at johannah@idahofallspride.com. You can also follow Idaho Falls Pride, Inc on Facebook and Instagram at “Idaho Falls Pride.”
