Denver, Colorado, features a variety of events that support gay culture.
Denver, Colorado is one of the Rocky Mountain region's most welcoming cities of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, or GLBT, community. The city is known for its lively outdoor activities and easygoing environment, and it features a variety of gay-friendly businesses and organizations. A diversity of GLBT events occur throughout the year in Denver.
Denver's Pridefest
Denver's Pridefest is an annual two-day event held each year in June to celebrate and promote the gay community and its culture. It is held by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, commonly abbreviated as The Center. The event began in 1975 and attracts more than 250,000 annual visitors. It features a variety of activities such as parades, dance stages with live entertainment, health and wellness booths and vendor booths providing food and arts and crafts. Pridefest also offers activities and entertainment for kids and pets. The Gay Pride parade includes an array of floats and thousands of participants walking to the Civic Center Park. According to The Center's website, Denver's Pridefest is one of the nation's top 10 gay pride events. The event is free and welcomes all individuals no matter what their sexual orientation.
LGBT Lobby Day
LGBT Lobby Day is an annual event held in February that enables members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to express their views regarding current issues within the LGBT community and the region as a whole. Participants have the opportunity to learn about essential legislation and how it relates to LGBT culture and gain an understanding on talk about matters with legislators. The event involves traveling to the Colorado State Capitol. LGBT Lobby Day is sponsored by a variety of organizations including One Colorado, The Center, and Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, also known as PFLAG.
Gaybutante Celebration
The Center hosts an annual Gaybutante celebration in October to benefit Rainbow Alley, a drop-in center that provides support to GLBT youth who are between the ages of 12 and 21. The event recognizes the power of young individuals of the Denver community who have publicized their GLBT identity. It incorporates aspects from debutante events and individuals share their stories of coming out to supportive audiences. The Gaybutante celebration also recognizes adults and youth organizations that provide positive influences to the GLBT youth community throughout the year. Proceeds from the celebration go toward the development and implementation of programs and activities offered by Rainbow Alley.
Denver Gay Men's Chorus and Denver Women's Chorus
The Denver Gay Men's Chorus presents performances throughout the year. On January 16, 2011, the group presented "Next to Normal," a broadway-inspired production to benefit the Rocky Mountain Arts Association. Information about upcoming events can be found on the Chorus's website (see Resources).
The Denver Women's Chorus was founded in 1984 in the lesbian community. It is now open to women of all sexual orientations and is a member in the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. The Denver Women's Chorus's current performances are listed on its website (see Resources).
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