It’s cold outside, the days are short, and there’s snow on the mountain … so it must be time for Pride. Winter Pride, that is.
Durango Winter Pride returns for its third year on January 25 and 26, and the 4 Corners Alliance for Diversity has events planned both up at Purgatory Resort and in downtown Durango.
Jake Riggs, the head of the events committee, said the event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and “the fact that we’re here — that we live here in this community, that we support it, we sponsor, and we give a lot back. … Especially because nowadays, it’s a very harsh climate going on politically. I think it’s the best that we can do and just to promote any sort of differences or anything that makes us special.”
And January is a perfect time to do that, given the size of the local skiing and snowboarding community and the need for something to help fight off feelings of cabin fever and isolation. It also gives visitors from places like Florida and New Mexico a reason to come up and enjoy the snow, but without being here all season long, Riggs said.
Up at the mountain, events focus mainly on camaraderie, including ski-lift meet-ups, apres ski, and dinner get-togethers at Paradise Pizzeria.
The events downtown feature a bit more spectacle. On January 24 — Friday — Durango-favorite drag queen Scarlett Ultra will host the Fresh Powder Drag Hour from 8:30 to close at Down the Rabbit Hole (where the performer currently has a drag residency). The drag show doubles as a fundraiser for Durango Pride 2020 and the Alliance, with a proceeds going to support the organization, which strives to create a safe, welcoming, and empowering community for LGBTQ+ people in the Four Corners Region. If you need further incentive, Scarlett will be raffling off a 55-inch 4K ‘Ultra’ HD TV and an Echo Dot to one lucky winner.
The next night brings the Let it Snow Talent Show and Winter Pride Dance, both at the Animas City Theater. The talent show begins at 8 p.m. First-, second-, and third-place performers at the talent show can win cash. The dance will celebrate the last decade in music, for those of you interested in taking a short stroll down memory lane.
All three events promise to be a good time, said Riggs, albeit for an 18-and-over crowd.
For more of an all-ages vibe, the Alliance is also hosting Out & About Ice Skating from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. In addition to giving people an extra event that doesn’t require making it all the way out to Purg, the event was planned with visibility in mind.
“To me, Pride is always about the youth and the joy of showing them, ‘Hey, something might be weird and confusing right now, but it does get better. There are adults and there are people who eventually figure it out and they have very substantial lives,’” Riggs said. “I think it’s important that we have the youth there and that we show them that, ‘Hey, there are a lot of great ways to enjoy yourself without having to party.’”
For a complete schedule, more information, and to purchase tickets, visit https://4calliancefordiversity.org/events/.Nick Gonzales
