JACKSON, Wyo. — This June marks the second officially recognized LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Jackson. Halfway through the month, participants still have plenty to celebrate.
Notably, this year’s edition of Pride marks the first time rainbow pride flags have hung from lampposts in Jackson Town Square.
“Jackson Hole Pride organized the banners based on our mission to increase visibility for Jackson’s queer community and to create a welcoming environment for both local and visiting LGBTQ+ folks,” Jackson Hole Pride Co-Founder Karyn Chin said via email. “We were pleased when the Town of Jackson recently agreed to fund this project after proclaiming June ‘Pride Month’ for the second year in a row.”
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community continue to evolve in the historically conservative mountain west. Professional snowboarder Jack Hessler spoke with Buckrail last summer about the changes he’s seen in the region over the years.
“Before I moved to Salt Lake [City] there was this stigma that it’s this unaccepting Mormon community against gay people, but that’s all changed —the cup has overflowed —it’s no longer this small movement trying to gain momentum, we’re past that,” Hessler said. “And it’s the same with Jackson; every pride event at the Rose is now sold out, there are drag shows…sold out.”
Those looking to participate in Pride Month have many opportunities to do so in Teton County this month. See a list of JH Pride’s remaining June events on its website.
