Walking in Copenhagen’s Pride parade and attending its weeklong celebration felt surreal, said Santa Ynez Valley Pride President Lauren Lastra.
“I think in many ways we’re still digesting the trip because there were so many takeaways, so many perspectives—life-changing moments that you still need to digest and be intentional and mindful for what that means here and our work in the Santa Ynez Valley,” Lastra said.
Lastra, Vice President Alyce Barrick, board members Harry Mullin and Adriana Reyes, and a youth ambassador Aria Vul-Daugherty flew to Copenhagen on Aug. 15 and hit the ground running when they arrived on Aug. 16, she said. They attended a private reception at the Denmark Pride ambassador’s home and seminars with fellow Pride representatives from around the world to learn about the experiences of LGBTQ-plus communities in other countries. Then they walked in the Pride parade and attended the festival.
“The parade and festival was an all-day event that really took over the entire city, not only in Pride Plaza but the parties and celebrations and events spilled out throughout Copenhagen,” Lastra said.
The nonprofit first came into contact with Copenhagen Pride and the lord mayor of Copenhagen earlier this year when the Solvang City Council rejected proposals to hang Pride-themed banners in the city, claiming the banners go against the city’s Danish roots. Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, lord mayor of Copenhagen, wrote to Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti in April, urging him to support his local Pride and LGBTQ-plus organizations.
“I think after the letter was sent, there was staff from Solvang City Council questioning the authenticity, questioning if Copenhagen Pride was a real organization, trying to fact check the mayor’s letter,” Lastra said. “I think [this trip] really puts, for lack of a better term, teeth behind the lord mayor’s letter to Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti, and [the lord mayor and Copenhagen Pride] really went above and beyond to extend their support to our community.”
SYV Pride’s international trip came together at the last minute, she said. One of SYV Pride’s youth ambassadors had been in contact with Copenhagen Pride’s Head of Secretariat Steve Taylor, who later invited them to join the celebration and panel opportunities.
The crew attended a panel on Pride in hostile areas where Pride or LGBTQ-plus advocates from other countries shared their experiences advocating for better representation, supportive legislation, and a changed dialogue around LGBTQ-plus people, Lastra said.
“I think it definitely put us in check in regards to privilege. With great privilege comes greater responsibility,” Lastra said. “I think another takeaway is the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, especially around the trans community, ‘grooming’ and all this language we know; I was surprised to learn that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that is fanned and flamed in the U.S., it’s rippled worldwide.”
All of the panelists said they’re hearing that rhetoric and it’s having a tangible impact and harming LGBTQ-plus communities around the world, she said.
“I think a broader frame is No. 1: It’s certainly affirmed that Pride is one of our greatest tools in fulfilling our mission of creating a safe, supportive, and empowering home for LGBTQ residents in the valley,” Lastra said. “With that, Pride is not just a month or a day, a parade, or a festival. Pride is 365 days a year.”
Moving forward, SYV Pride wants to expand its Pride events in June and evolve outside of Pride Month with workshops and events year round and grow its youth scholarship program for local high school seniors, she said.
“I think, in general, Pride celebrations are so important for our youth and allies to feel affirmed in their identities, to feel seen, to have a sense of belonging—outside of Pride or queer-friendly spaces, it’s hard to find. Being a part of the majority for a few hours, that is really important especially in your formative years,” Lastra said.
“I think especially for our youth seeing themselves reflected back in such public ways of celebration, there are no words to express how important that is.”
Highlight
• The city of Santa Maria Public Library will host Chris Lambert, author of the podcast Your Own Backyard, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. in Shepard Hall—421 South McClelland St. Lambert will share what it takes to create a podcast, including the tools and resources needed. Seating for this event is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the library’s online events calendar at cityofsantamaria.org/library or call (805) 925-0994, Ext. 8562, for more information. This program supports the library’s mission of lifelong learning and promotes literacy and inspires self-expression. Follow the library on social media for updates on programming, resources, and services—Facebook: Santa Maria Public Library, and Instagram: @santamaria_publiclibrary.
Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at [email protected].
