By Sierra Rose Cripps
In light of Winnemucca's annual Pride Celebrations being canceled, due to alleged threats of violence, and hate, creeping its ways out of the dark corners of this beautiful town. It felt necessary to maybe help people understand the point of such a celebration, and bring light to this unfortunate outcome.
Despite where you stand politically or even morally on this subject. Some things stand true.
Pride initialy began as a protest. It began as a march to demand equity and equality for all.
It created a space for people from every walk of life to come and take up space. It created a day, for those normally shun from the forefront of society. People who have been hated and brutalized according to other peoples agendas/beliefs.
A people who have risen from the ashes of their own lives to create a life of love and empowerment. Often times people ask, " But why do you have to shove it in our faces", "why can't you just live your lives quietly and behind closed doors?"
To that we say, your hate is not quiet. Your hate is not "behind closed doors." Your hate roars over all else. Your hate, that kills us, that tortures us, that silences what could be a beautiful life, creates darkness. It casts a fog over everything and only things of your choosing are allowed to pass through. To be seen.
Winnemucca made International news for its first Pride Event. The whole world cheered us on for our progress. Seeing a small town in the middle of Nevada, make love and acceptance a priority, inspired people across the world.
For the last 5 years Pride has been held and it's continued to grow each year. We have watched our community stand tall and proud, and grow in leaps and bounds. The funds raised every year went to Humboldt Connection Suicide Prevention Task Force. Thousands of dollars over the last 5 year's were donated to this very necessary cause.
Despite the event being canceled, the community is still coming together to make sure a sizeable donation is still made. Even with the event being put together entirely by two extraordinary humans and only a handful of volunteers in our community.
It thrived.
A special thank you to those extraordinary people, Athiwan Yaemmuan Hustead & Stevie Noyes, for their tireless work and love they poured into this event. You both have saved so many lives, in so many ways with your work.
A huge thank you to the amazing and powerful people of our community who have come out year after year. Not afraid to show up for Love. I hope that the canceling of this event doesnt stop you in any way from being the wonderful and profound human you are meant to be. You are valuable. You deserve space. And you are so very loved.
Sierra Rose Cripps lives in Winnemucca.