Valdez Hosts Its First Pride Parade

**Participants and allies gathered before the parade.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

Allison Sayer - CRR Staff

On Saturday, June 4, members of the Valdez LGBTQ+ community and their allies gathered at Magpie’s Valdez venue for a Pride parade. The parade was part of a weekend-long series of events celebrating the pride and diversity of the local LGBTQ+ community.

Pride events take place across the country–and the world–every June to commemorate the Stonewall riots in June of 1969 in New York City. Police raids of gay bars were common during that era, and patrons would routinely be arrested and/or assaulted by police. During the Stonewall riots, patrons at a gay bar called The Stonewall Inn fought back. This is seen as the symbolic start of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
Parade participants started arriving around 12:30 in the afternoon, excited and a bit tired from the all-night dance party the previous evening. A float was hastily assembled out of a trailer. Last-minute makeup adjustments were made, and group photos were taken.

**Supporters waiting in the shade for the parade to go by.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

Photos, hugs, and some nervous energy were exchanged. Valdez had never before hosted a Pride parade–or any official public gathering of Valdez’s LGBTQ+ community. Glitter, rainbows, hugs, and fabulousness abounded, but this was also a vulnerable moment.

Spectators began arriving at the venue, many wearing rainbow garb in support of the marchers. Parade organizer Selah Bauer recruited so many spectators to join the march I wondered whether there would be anyone left to actually watch the parade. However, even with this attrition, a healthy crowd still lined the sidewalk.

Bauer, wearing a rainbow pigtail wig and a T-shirt that read “Love wins” and displayed a photo of her wife, led the parade in a rainbow-decorated Stan Stephens company van. A sign on the back of the van stated: “You are not alone.”

The van was followed by members of the Valdez Lutheran-Episcopal Church carrying a banner reading “Epiphany Church: Welcome. Inclusion. Celebration.” According to congregant Jan Whalen, the church is officially “a Reconciling in Christ congregation.” This means the church “publicly affirms and celebrates LGBTQIA+ people.”

**Members of the Epiphany Church marching in the parade.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

Roller bladers, with rainbow flags streaming out like capes and glittering gems on their faces, zoomed around the marchers and vehicles like birds.

Then came a float with a theme of general fabulousness. Diverse members of the Valdez Pride Committee and their friends and family vamped and waved to Lady Gaga music surrounded by rainbow streamers and pink flamingos. Maggie Nylund drove the truck pulling this on a large trailer.

**Roller bladers swooping through the street.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

**Valdez Pride float.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

Prince William Sound Community College was the last vehicle in the train, and was followed by a group of people on foot.

I spoke with Bauer after the parade to learn more about her experience as an organizer. Bauer said that once she decided to take on creating Pride events for Valdez, it “organically found a life of its own. I can’t believe how many vendors and creatives came out of the woodwork, and how many companies were excited to sponsor us.”

Nylund immediately and enthusiastically agreed to provide a venue, which simplified logistics concerning food, permitting, and other details. The Valdez Pride Committee formed naturally, and got to work.

Bauer acknowledged Nylund’s husband Paul and children Mitchell and Abigail–as well as Nylund’s staff–as important supporting parts of the parade.

“The employees became Pride Committee members,” Bauer said.

Bauer also expressed appreciation for Serendipity Catering’s welcome dinner the night before.

“It was a beautiful dinner filled with kindness and love,” she said.

She also appreciated performers from Mad Myrna’s in Anchorage who came out to headline the Saturday night drag show at Magpie’s, and Kathryn Peltier for developing the logo and creating Pride merchandise. Members of the Valdez Pride Committee including Jonah Craig, Robert Smith and many others worked hard to make the event happen.

Additional kudos go to Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises, The Totem Inn Hotel, Valdez Mayor Sharon Scheidt, The Oden Corporation, Polar Alaska, Middle Rock Designs, Herbal Outfitters, The Roadside Potatohead (a.k.a. The Potato), The Nat Shack, Forget Me Knot Salon, Valdez Veterinary Clinic, Alchemist Asia, The Painted Moose, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, and Rogue’s Garden for their support.

Bauer acknowledged there were details of the event that she would do differently next time. For example, the exact route of the parade was not widely publicized. However, she emphasized, “This is the first annual Pride weekend.” Next year will be another opportunity.

Bauer also addressed the motivation of her participation. “The reason,” she said, “is because, as a queer woman in this community, I think it’s important that we have representation, especially for other queer/LGBTQ+ people and especially young people. Representation matters, especially in small communities. If you don’t see yourself, it makes you feel alone, and like you don’t belong.”

Bauer continued, “I know people that have been discriminated against growing up for being queer in some way. Literally, their lives are not safe just being who they are.”

“I want them to know: There is community here. There are people like them here. They’re not alone in the world. They’re perfect just the way they are.”

**Asia Fee demonstrates her flag throwing skills.** Photo by Allison Sayer.

In her own life, lack of acceptance by family has been painful for Bauer. Her grandmother had been a significant role model during Bauer’s childhood. When Bauer came out, her grandmother told her she was going to Hell.

“That’s the hard part,” she said, “when it’s people you love and adore.”

One of many highlights of the Valdez event for Bauer was the youth presence at the parade. She is “so excited to be a Pride fairy godmother” to young people who identify as LGBTQ+, and to help “make sure they are celebrated for who they are.”

“Today was a celebration,” said Bauer, “nothing but pure joy.”

Jonah Craig, a founding member of the Valdez Pride Committee, added, “The highlight has been the amount of recognition, support and love I am seeing from my community. I am excited and happy to celebrate with my community that I grew up in.”

He continued, “My heart is so full right now. I’m riding a high of joy.”