West Valley City Hosts Its First-Ever Pride Celebration: “A Love Letter to Our Community”
West Valley City is gearing up for its inaugural Pride celebration on June 28 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center — a free, family-friendly event designed to honor and uplift the local LGBTQ+ community. Tom Roche, Community Engagement Specialist spoke with Avanza’s Carina Linares on Conexión about the first-annual event.
“This celebration is just really a love letter to our community,” said Tom Roche, Community Engagement Specialist at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. “Our residents are incredible, they’re really what makes the city special, and they deserve to be celebrated.”
The event promises vibrant performances, including drag artists from the Utah Drag Collective, live bands, DJs, Samba Fogo, and a story slam spotlighting local voices. For Roche, LGBT West Valley City residents don’t often see themselves represented on the west side of the valley, so this aims to change that.
“We’ve got a bunch packed into this single day,” said Roche. “Food trucks, chalk artists, even a gender-free clothing closet thanks to Uptown Cheapskate, all at no cost.”
The event also offers health and mental health resources, voter information, and city services. “We want everyone to feel seen, included, and supported,” Roche added. “West Valley City is about love.”
West Valley Pride runs from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. Admission is free.
West Valley City celebra su primer evento del Orgullo: “Una carta de amor a nuestra comunidad”
Carina Linares, productora de de Avanza 88.3 también entrevistó a Karin Toone, especialista en participación comunitaria y cultura en el Utah Cultural Celebration Center. Toon dijo que personas LGBT en West Valley buscan que los eventos sean “menos coroporativo, un evento donde puedan crear conexión con los residents, con sus vecinos, compartir, y convivir”.
El evento West Valley Pride, que se realizará el sábado 28 de junio de 12 p.m. a 6 p.m. con entrada gratuita, contará con camiones de comida, artistas de tiza, un armario de ropa sin género y artículos de cuidado personal, todo sin costo. También se ofrecerán recursos de salud física y mental, información sobre el voto y servicios de la ciudad, con el objetivo de crear un espacio inclusivo, accesible y lleno de apoyo para toda la comunidad.
West Valley Pride se llevará a cabo el sábado 28 de junio de 12 p.m. a 6 p.m. La entrada es gratuita.
