LYNNWOOD—The first ever official Lynnwood City Pride event was a resounding success despite the sprinkle of rain Saturday, June 6, on the City’s Civic Campus.
Lynnwood City Councilwoman Isabel Mata, the only Lynnwood City Council member who identifies as queer, opened the event with a few remarks.
“We’ve come together to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community. Thank you all for joining us for an afternoon filled with pride, inclusion, entertainment, and community connection,” said Mata.
The event featured various vendors, nonprofit, and organization booths, food trucks, a DJ set by DJ zeta, performances by Kitzenjammer, AuntMama, Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal Performance, Gaisma Theatre Group, and a ceremonious raising of the pride flag at City Hall while Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst read a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month.
Food vendors included Goodbelly, Kathmandu MomoCha, Turmeric n More, Golden Delicious, and Kool Kidz ice cream.
Community nonprofits include, but are not limited to, Sno-Isle Libraries, Cocoon House, Blood Work, Lynnwood 4H, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, and local businesses include Lush Cosmetics and Around the Table Games. All in all, there were about a dozen vendors and a dozen nonprofits.
“It was a beautiful day celebrating pride and inclusion. Can’t wait for next year,” Councilwoman Mata told the Lynnwood Times.
Lynnwood City Pride, which took place from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., was in partnership with the Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce, Edmonds College, Edmonds School District, and the Lynnwood Library. Sponsors include Molina Healthcare, Dave and Buster’s, Kirkland EMDR Counseling, and Edmonds College.
Pride Month is observed each June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which marked a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights. For Lynnwood City staff, Pride Month represents an opportunity to reaffirm the city’s commitment to serving all community members with dignity, respect, and equality.
Other Lynnwood Pride Month activities include supporting LGBTQ+ youth and their families, providing resources, counseling services, and peer support networks for young people navigating their identities in suburban communities.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
