A pride flag has been put up at Creston’s farmer’s market to help raise awareness of the 2SLGBTQ+ calling the valley home.
OUTSpoken, a group representing the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Creston, helped put up the flag at the start of the farmer’s market season.
Nikolas, a coordinator with OUTSpoken, says putting up the flag helps add diversity and inclusion to the farmer’s market.
“We thought that the best thing to do was to hang up our most recent progress pride flag because, in our community, it is kind of a symbol or a beacon that the people running the event are allies or are committed to allyship and the farmers market.”
They add that the market is dedicated to inclusivity.
“They’ve been amazing allies to us and really supportive and made sure we felt really safe and really comfortable. So we helped them put up their flag to match our flag. It just kind of shows people that the farmers market is an inclusive space and we’re welcome there.”
Another coordinator with OUTSpoken, Sara, adds that such a symbol is important for their community.
“We’ve seen a large shift of support and solidarity with our cause. And this shows our community, as well as Creston as a whole, is a welcoming place. It’s welcome to all, not just a specific meeting place for a specific people.”
Nikolas says they have faced almost no backlash to putting up the flag.
“I’ve heard nothing. We had maybe one comment online, and one vaguely negative comment we couldn’t be sure was insulting, so we took it as positive. But literally nothing else.”
They say their table at the farmers market was full and busy.
“We had an amazing turnout, and nothing coming back so far. So, we’re feeling pretty good about it.”
OUTSpoken will have several events to look forward to this upcoming summer.
Sara says they will have a float in the Blossom Fest Parade, they will be showing up for a few farmer’s markets throughout the season, and there will be a Creston Pride Fest on June 29 at Mountain Park Resort.
“It goes from 11 am to 11 pm, so a full-day event. We have a market, we have a talent show, we have music, we have games, we have prizes. It will be a blast. I think it’s going to be an incredible move forward for Creston and for our community.”
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