Jackson Hole Pride Reflects on Annual Pride Drag Show and Dance Party - June 7th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12th, 2025
Organization: Jackson Hole Pride
Contact: Cheyenne Syvertson
Email: JacksonHolePride@gmail.com
Website: www.JHPride.com
Teton County, WY — Our annual Pride Drag Show and Dance Party on Saturday, June 7th at the Virginian Lodge was a powerful celebration that brought together hundreds of community members. The performances were exceptional, showcasing local talent and two visiting artists from Idaho Falls. Some performances were outrageously silly and others were moving and emotional. All performances were original, uplifting and wildly creative. This incredible evening was made possible through the community effort of performers, volunteers, and attendees who came together to co-create something truly special. The space was transformed beyond recognition by dazzling decor, the performance art, music, and the enthusiasm of our spectacularly dressed volunteers and attendees. Overall, the evening was a reflection of our vibrant, welcoming, and boundlessly inventive LGBTQIA+ community in Jackson Hole. While the event concluded earlier than we all intended, the evening was unforgettable.
In the spirit of transparency, we want to address the circumstances around the early ending of the event and acknowledge the impact on those in attendance and anyone in our broader LGBTQIA+ community who may have been affected.
During the late dance party, some logistical challenges arose regarding sound management. This led to noise complaints and required adjustments to the event, ultimately leading to an abrupt and early ending approximately one hour before the planned ending. Unfortunately the noise complaints culminated in police presence in the event space as well. Simultaneously, a number of volunteers and attendees encountered disgruntled members of the public who were also onsite at the time. These individuals were disturbed by the music and unfriendly to our guests, including making homophobic statements and using slurs. We immediately attended to those affected and ensured their safety, though the impact of these interactions was significant and regrettable. While we worked to address the sound concerns as they arose as best we could, clearer communication and prepared coordination protocols on behalf of the community partner venue could have prevented the situation from escalating. We acknowledge the significant impact that police presence had on our community members, particularly given the long and painful history of harm done to LGBTQIA+ communities by law enforcement. We recognize that police presence alone was deeply concerning for many attendees and understand the fear and distress it may have caused.
We have since spoken with the Virginian Lodge to identify where planning and coordination gaps on behalf of both parties contributed to the escalation to the event ending with police presence. This includes better sound management to respect both our celebration and the surrounding community. The Virginian Lodge was equally invested in reviewing the evening's details and understanding what occurred. The Virginian Lodge demonstrated their commitment to partnership with Jackson Hole Pride by addressing these challenges constructively. We believe the Virginian desired a successful, safe, and positive event, and appreciate their willingness to examine how things unfolded. We also appreciate their interest in understanding the impact on us and our community. While we don't believe the sound management issues stemmed from any ill intent, both the early ending of such an important celebration and the resulting police presence had a profound impact on our community - a marginalized group very much in need of spaces for joy and connection at this time.
Though our celebration was overwhelmingly successful overall, the evening also illustrated the realities LGBTQIA+ people continue to face, even in a relatively progressive community like ours. The challenging elements of the evening remind us all that our gatherings don't exist in isolation and underscore both the importance of the spaces we create together and the ongoing care and attention they require. Jackson Hole Pride remains committed to this essential work of building safe and rewarding gatherings.
Saturday's celebration showcased what we love about our LGBTQIA+ community - from the spectacular performances by local and visiting artists to the incredible outfits and enthusiasm of hundreds of attendees who co-created an unforgettable night. The evening reminded us of the transformative power of coming together in joy and solidarity. While logistical challenges and concerning interactions cut the night short, they also reinforced how precious and necessary these spaces are for our community. Our Pride month celebrations continue with a variety of upcoming events, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating Pride Month. Visit jhpride.org or follow us on Instagram for more information.
For anyone personally affected by what occurred, we encourage you to reach out. Whether you'd like to share your experience or connect with community resources, we're here to support you. Contact us at jacksonholepride@gmail.com.
For questions and comments, please contact Jackson Hole Pride at: JacksonHolePride@gmail.com
