PRIDE Celebration June 19 – 21st in Kalispell

Dear Peace Community,

Many of you may have read the article in the Missoulian about Barry Brubaker and his efforts to stop the PRIDE Celebration that will take place June 19-21 in Kalispell, Montana.  Mr. Brubaker asserts that the parade and accompanying events will “further erode morality and set precedence for future lasciviousness and lewd displays that other communities have experienced with allowing such activities.”  He describes himself as “not very educated”, but he “[knows] the word of God” and believes that “the end is coming and there’s going to be fire, earthquakes…these are the final days, and we have to speak truth.”  Mr. Brubaker’s open hostility towards the LGBTI community and his petition to stop the PRIDE Celebration (which has accumulated a few hundred signatures) underscore the need for all of us who are able to attend MT PRIDE in Kalispell.  These kinds of superstitious, bigoted, insecurity-induced opinions are more pervasive that we’d like to believe.  The LGBTI community and its allies need have a strong showing in the Flathead this month in order to demonstrate our firm presence in Montana and give a human face to the LGBTI movement here.  Let’s banish ignorance by reaching out with compassion and non-violent self expression.

Peace,

Sean Gibbons, JRPC Coordinating Council member