Celebrating Unity and Overcoming Challenges

In light of recent events and conversations within our community, Flagstaff Pride would like to address the concerns and reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, respect, and unity.

Over the past 28 years, Flagstaff Pride has grown from a small gathering to a monumental event celebrating diversity and acceptance. This year, our theme “Iconically You!” aimed to encourage everyone to embrace their authentic selves. We are proud of the vibrant celebration that took place and grateful for the overwhelming support from our attendees, volunteers, and performers.

While we are excited about the success of the 28th annual Pride in the Pines and the participation of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, we acknowledge the concerns raised by some members of our community. We understand the importance of open dialogue and want to address these issues with transparency and respect.

Addressing Concerns

Inappropriate Comments and Threats: Flagstaff Pride and the board received a series of inappropriate comments and threats leading up to, during, and after the event. We had to shut off comments on our Instagram and block profiles to maintain a safe and respectful online environment.
Jill Biden’s Appearance: The decision to welcome Dr. Jill Biden was made collectively by the Flagstaff Pride board and our President, Zane Jacobs. Due to strict security protocols, we were unable to share this information earlier. Dr. Biden’s presence was meant to highlight unity and the continued fight for equality, not to make a political statement. We remain neutral on geopolitical issues and focus on fostering a supportive environment for all.
Coordination and Funding for Dr. Jill Biden’s Visit: Flagstaff Pride did not solicit or fundraise for Dr. Jill Biden’s appearance at our event. Her presence was coordinated by the Biden/Harris Arizona headquarters, who approached Flagstaff Pride with the proposal. We did not use any Flagstaff Pride funds for her visit, ensuring that our resources remained focused on supporting and celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, we did not incur any costs for the extra security measures, as these were also covered by the coordinating parties.
Clarification on First Lady Jill Biden’s Visit and 501(c)(3) Compliance: Flagstaff Pride is dedicated to maintaining its status as a 501(c)(3) organization, which requires us to remain non-partisan and refrain from political activities. We acknowledge that First Lady Dr. Jill Biden discussed political topics during her visit to our festival, and we want to provide context and clarification regarding this matter.

Role as a Dignitary and Advocate for Equality: Dr. Jill Biden’s team approached Flagstaff Pride with the request for her to attend our event. Her primary role at the festival was to highlight the importance of unity, acceptance, and the ongoing fight for equality—values that align closely with our mission. While she did speak about political topics, her main purpose was to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, not to conduct campaign activities.

Compliance with 501(c)(3) Regulations: As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are fully aware of the rules prohibiting political campaign activity. Our intent in allowing Dr. Biden to speak was to emphasize her advocacy for equality and inclusivity.

Context of the Visit: Dr. Biden’s visit aimed to highlight the significance of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, celebrate our community’s progress, and emphasize the ongoing need to protect and expand these rights. We did not engage in distributing campaign materials or endorsing any political candidates.

Zane Jacobs’ White House Invitation: Zane Jacobs was personally invited to the White House for the annual Pride Celebration. This was not associated in any part by the First Lady’s appearance at Flagstaff Pride. This invitation was a recognition of his individual contributions and dedication to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It had no connection to Flagstaff Pride or its funds. Outside of the Pride Board, Zane Jacobs devoted over 20 years to 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy work. Zane Jacobs traveled on his own accord, but this recognition does underscore the impact of his collective efforts in promoting inclusivity and acceptance.
Security and Accessibility: We understand that the increased security measures and changes in policy created challenges for some attendees, especially those with limited mobility. These measures were necessary to ensure the safety of everyone present, including the First Lady.
The City of Flagstaff mandates police presence at all events and determines the required number of officers for each occasion. The Flagstaff Police Department officers at our events are not employed by Flagstaff Pride.

As well as, our event license required us to have security, and during the last Prides, it was warranted based on safety concerns for all festival attendees.

Our security policies reverted to normal once the First Lady left the park. We regret any inconvenience caused and are committed to improving our planning and communication in future events to better accommodate everyone.
Support for Performers: We value our performers and their contributions to Pride in the Pines and place an emphasis on the local Flagstaff community. We acknowledge the concerns about the reorganization of performance schedules and the impact on drag entertainers. We are committed to better communication and support for our performers in future events. The decision to reschedule performances was not taken lightly and was influenced by the unforeseen changes in the event schedule. We review our efforts after every Pride. This year, new initiatives and areas were introduced, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. These additions are a testament to our ongoing efforts to enhance the Pride experience for all attendees. The Flagstaff Pride board is incredibly proud of the event we have put together this year. These new areas reflect our dedication to creating an inclusive, supportive, and celebratory environment for all members of our community. We look forward to continuing to grow and innovate in the years to come.

New initiatives and areas were introduced this year, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. These additions are a testament to our ongoing efforts to enhance the Pride experience for all attendees.

The Flagstaff Pride board is incredibly proud of the event we have put together this year. These new areas reflect our dedication to creating an inclusive, supportive, and celebratory environment for all members of our community. We look forward to continuing to grow and innovate in the years to come.

Moving Forward

Flagstaff Pride is dedicated to celebrating and supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We strive to create events that reflect our values of inclusivity, acceptance, and love. In line with our mission to support, unite, and strengthen our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we are committed to learning from this experience and working towards better communication, transparency, and respect within our community.

As part of our strategic plan, “Together We March Again,” we set goals to enhance visibility, build an inclusive community, and ensure opportunity and equity for all. Through the feedback we received, we have been able to make significant progress in several key areas:

Strengthening Partnerships: Feedback has guided us in forming more robust and diverse partnerships within the community.
Enhancing Communication: We have developed a marketing plan to improve communication and engagement with our community members.
Expanding Board Diversity: Community input has helped us to diversify our board, bringing in a range of skills and perspectives.
Promoting Inclusivity: Our events and initiatives have become more inclusive, thanks to the valuable suggestions and support from our community.
More Local Performers and Performances: This led to the creation of the DragStage, showcasing local talent.
Successful Parades: We have organized two successful parades, enhancing community visibility and participation.
Increased Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Attendance: Our events have seen a rise in exhibitors, sponsors, and overall attendance.

While we are proud of our progress, we always aim to do better and ensure we are listening to our community and adhering to our mission and vision. We understand that calls for reform may not be based on our actions but rather on specific disagreements with particular decisions or stances, such as inviting the First Lady or city council members.

The issues raised appear to be more personal and not necessarily reflective of the board’s overall operations. To address these concerns, we suggest planning a meeting to hear directly from those who oppose the board. This will allow us to engage in meaningful dialogue and address any misconceptions or grievances.

We thank all our supporters for their feedback and understanding. We remain focused on our mission and our vision of creating a world where 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are welcomed, supported, and able to live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination, prejudice, and bias.

For any further questions or concerns, please reach out to us directly. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Warm regards,

Flagstaff Pride Board of Directors