Mayor Lauren McLean told the crowd on Saturday at Boise’s first LatinX Pride that these are “uncertain times,” that make people feel “topsy-turvy.”
Her speech comes amid the Trump administration’s nationwide rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In some cases, corporate sponsors have pulled out of large pride events.
“We see you, we welcome you, we love you, we need you here,” McLean told the audience in Cecil D. Andrus Park. “We will make it through these tough times better for it, stronger for it and more Boise than Boise’s ever been.”
Although polls show the term LatinX is unpopular with the Latino community, organizers said they wanted people to feel included.
The festival comes at a time of uncertainty in Idaho for the LGBTQ+ community, in part because of anti-LGBTQ+ bills from the state Legislature.
Boise Pride recently canceled a Pride Season Kickoff event scheduled for June 6, according to a news release, because not enough people were going to come. Boise’s Pride Festival will be held in September.
McLean, in an interview with the Idaho Statesman, said the energy Saturday was celebratory. Boise Pride is feeling the “support that is truly indicative of the community that Boise is,” she said.
The Trump administration also recently listed Boise as a “sanctuary” city for immigrants, even though Idaho banned sanctuary cities two years ago.
In her address, McLean said she wanted the Boise Police Department to strengthen its relationship with the immigrant community.
On Saturday, music with Spanish lyrics blared out between speakers. Variants of the rainbow Pride flag lined a stone path. A line formed at a tent labeled “Mexican Food” in red, white and green letters.
The majority of LGBTQ+ adults have attended Pride events, according to recent polling from the Pew Research Center. And several attendees told the Statesman that LatinX Pride was not their first function.
Michael Zieske, who identifies as Latin and gay, said he came to support the event.
“Latin is just more of the music, it’s the way the energy goes off of versus just a regular Pride,” Zieske. “They add the culture.”
And Miguel Barrera, sitting with his partner in the shade, said cultural events are needed in Idaho.
“The Latin community is the backbone of Idaho,” Barrera said. “It is Idaho.”
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