Life doesn't stop surprising us in good ways. Here are three things happening in our community right now that deserve a round of applause.
🌈 Boise Wraps Its Flag Poles in Rainbow
When Idaho passed a law fining cities $2,000 per day for flying Pride flags, Boise didn't just comply and move on. The city wrapped its flag poles in thick rainbow tape in the colors of the Progress Pride flag, installed rainbow lights on City Hall after dark, and hung signs in windows reading "creating a city for everyone." Boise City Council President Meredith Stead said it plainly: "The Pride flag is not a political statement. It is a symbol of heritage, welcome and safety." When they close one door, we find the window.
🏠 Boston Built a 'Gayborhood' for LGBTQ+ Seniors
The Pryde opened in Boston's Hyde Park on the site of a former middle school. An affordable, fully accessible senior living community designed specifically for LGBTQ+ residents 62 and over. It's 100% occupied. Amenities include a rainbow-striped gym floor, art gallery, resident cinema, and community programming with the Boston LGBTQ Museum of Art. "It was literally like hitting the lottery," one resident said. Nine and a half years in the making. Worth every minute.
🏈 Brothers Launch the First LGBTQ+ Youth Football Camp
NFL defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and his brother Kameron, who spent 630 days on stage with Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, launched the first-ever football camp designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. "This camp will be the catalyst for how future generations navigate male-dominated spaces in a more loving, nurturing, caring way," said Kameron. When an NFL player and a Swiftie dancer team up to build a safer world for queer kids, that's a win.