By Shannon Lukens.
Someone is removing flyers for the STAND campaign around Steamboat Springs. STAND stands for Steamboat Team to combat Antisemitism and Discrimination. STAND organizers had one meeting in February, and are hosting another at 8 a.m. this Monday, June 12, in Library Hall.
Organizers say their flyers are being taken down around town and being replaced by “hateful, anti-trans literature.” They say it happened at least five times in the entryway at Old Town Hot Springs. On the most recent time, the organizers added a note that says, “To the person who keeps on ripping this poster down… 1. You are literally proving why SB needs this organization. 2. It’s rude, please stop. Thank you.”
STAND is having a meeting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 12. They say it is to “make this community better, safer, and kinder for all.” Speakers are:
- Chelsie Holmes, the founder of Yampa Valley Pride
- Steamboat Springs Interim Police Chief Mark Beckett
- Steamboat Springs High School parents Missy and Patrick Madden
- Pastor Tim Selby from Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church
There is a link to RSVP. When RSVPing, you are asked to agree to the following:
“By participating in STAND, I commit to not engaging in discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of STAND’s activities or operations. I am committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals and groups in Routt County.”
June is Pride Month, as officially proclaimed by the City of Steamboat Springs. The Yampa Valley Pride Festival is from noon to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the historic Routt County Courthouse. Twenty-seven vendors will be on the courthouse lawn.
The City of Steamboat Springs will be hosting a booth at the 3rd annual Yampa Valley Pride Festival on Saturday. Steamboat Police and Routt County Sheriff’s Officers will have a strong presence at the Yampa Pride Festival Saturday. Steamboat Springs Interim Police Chief Mark Beckett says they will be there as a message of support. “Regardless of political affiliation or beliefs, we believe in an environment of inclusiveness.” Beckett adds, “Everyone has a voice and is free to use it. We believe that Steamboat Springs should be a community of inclusiveness. We’ll be there in support.”
The Leadership Steamboat Class this year is partnering with Better Tomorrow to bring awareness to the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Routt County. Better Tomorrow is the parent group of Advocates of Routt County and the Child Advocacy Center. The Out and Proud Yampa Valley Fund will match any donations for a resource center/program for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit community. www.PaintTheTownWithPride.com
The group from STAND has advised the following to those going. “If there are any hateful, hurting, aggressive people at Pride or otherwise, you are encouraged to walk away and find on-duty officers.”
They also provided a link to this article: Get the Facts on Gender-Affirming Care
Steamboat Radio article from Feb. 28, 2023
STEAMBOAT TEAM TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM AND DISCRIMINATION MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME