Fort Collins proclaims June 2025 LGBTQ+ Pride Month; community leaders describe growth of local services
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Summary
Mayor Ginny Arndt read proclamations marking the U.S. Army 250th anniversary and declaring June 2025 LGBTQ+ Pride Month. LGBTQ+ community leaders and program directors described local services, safety concerns and a decade of work by youth-focused nonprofit Splash.
Mayor Jenny (Ginny) Arndt read a city proclamation declaring June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and invited community members and nonprofit leaders to speak about local LGBTQ+ advocacy and services.
Jamie Ridgeway, a Fort Collins resident, spoke about the history of LGBTQ+ resistance and legal discrimination and said simply: "I am a Fort Collins resident... a transgender woman. And I am valid." Ridgeway referenced Compton's Cafeteria (San Francisco) and national policy shifts and called for community solidarity.
Why it matters: The proclamation recognized local advocacy, including a rise in the city's Municipal Equality Index score and the creation of a municipal employee resource group. Speakers highlighted the work of local organizations such as Splash (a Northern Colorado LGBTQ+ youth organization), PFLAG and the Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board.
Other speakers described local program growth and needs. TJ (NoCo Smash) and Corey (Splash staff and alumni) said Pride events and youth services have expanded; Splash marks its 10th anniversary. Andy Brunson Williams, a parent of LGBTQ+ children, thanked the city for visible support and credited local nonprofit Kimberly Chambers and volunteers with supporting youth and saving lives. Kevin Flowers, who addressed council later, thanked city staff, parks and police services for support of a recent Pride celebration and recounted stories of families and youth who found safety in local services.
Council response: Council accepted the proclamations as read and noted organized community presence. No policy action was taken; speakers asked for continued city support of youth services and safety initiatives.