With a rainbow as the backdrop, Bethel Area Arts and Music Director Kate Webb, left, introduces, Keaton Cummings-Chapman on the stage at Bethel Pride, held at the Gem Theater on June 20. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
BETHEL — A new tradition began as Bethel Area Arts and Music (BAAM) hosted its second pride event at The Gem Theater.
Drag Queen Tasha Tektite performs at the second annual Pride Day in Bethel, June 20 at Gem Theater. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
Telstar High School’s Civil Rights club, led by Telstar Middle and High School’s social worker Kristen Powell, worked year-round planning and crafting ideas with much help by Telstar alumni, Keaton Chapman, who brought this idea to life.
Throughout the school year the Civil Rights team would meet along with Chapman, who conversed from his college dorm room, and other community members like Kate Webb, Program Director of BAAM. This year the event was held on June 20 and featured vendors, karaoke, trivia, raffles, musicians, and a drag performance that came all the way from Portland.
The Gem Theater provided food including homemade pizza, drinks, and the space. Differing from last year’s Bethel Pride, vendors spread outside which created space for more vendors and new activities. Though able to utilize some of the space outdoors, the heat pushed most inside. Powell explains, “We were hoping to be outside to expand the space of it but because of the heat we decided to change that plan.”
Powell also added that, in comparison to last year, “We had more student participation in the actual setup.” Many of these helping hands participate in Telstar’s Civil Rights Club or Northstar, led by Lyndsey Smith.
Chapman shares the importance of pride this year in comparison to last, “We keep seeing growing hate around trans members of the LGBTQ+ community. We even saw that within our own Bethel community with more online hate then we had the previous year.” This hate was converted into motivation for this year’s pride event, further explained Chapman, “We need to use our voices in ways that show impact and Bethel Pride is one of those ways.”
Bethel Pride has grown in both support and achievement throughout the past year and plans to continue this growth are already being discussed. Chapman shared his ideas for future events, hoping to include even more community members and create an even more welcoming space.
M.J. Johanson performs at the second annual Pride Day in Bethel, June 20, at The Gem Theater. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
Falling parallel to these hopes Chapman discusses the idea of making this a place where youth can register to vote. Another addition that has already begun to be implemented is a political element, providing a resource for diving into important topics. This year, said by Chapman, “At the event we even had the drag queens talk about Palestine.”
Powell mentions plans for more vendors and activities while also discussing Chapman’s long-term hope for a parade. Chapman states, “We want to keep including the youth and just grow, grow, grow!” Support from the community is key to helping Bethel Pride grow even bigger in power and continue Bethel’s new tradition.
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