Pride Month is a time to celebrate identity, community, inclusion and the ongoing work of creating spaces where everyone feels seen and supported.
At Front Range Community College, Pride is both a month-long observance and a reflection of the values that our students, faculty and staff bring to campus throughout the year.
Each summer, FRCC participates in Pride celebrations along the Front Range, including Denver Pride and Boulder Pride. Staff members who have represented the college share their experiences and reflect on what Pride means to them personally and professionally.
Why Pride Matters
For many members of the FRCC community, Pride is both a joyous occasion and a statement of support.
“I celebrate Pride because I’m an ally and I fully support everyone’s right to be who they are, love who they love and celebrate themselves,” shares Nichole Priestley, wellness programs coordinator with the college’s Student Life & Engagement team.
“It’s also so fun! I love seeing people truly being who they are and celebrating that together.”
Power in Togetherness
For Grace Brown, director of Concurrent Enrollment Student Success, Pride represents the strength of community.
“Pride is not just a celebration; it is a reminder of the power that the queer community has when we show up for one another. I celebrate pride for myself, and for my community,” she says.
Feeling Seen and Safe
Harris Armstrong, PRISM learning & development manager, emphasizes the personal significance of Pride events.
“I celebrate Pride because it celebrates me,” he says. “Attending events, marching in the parade, they’re all amazing ways to feel connected to myself, our communities, allies and other people like me.”
“I get the feeling of being seen without as much danger or discomfort in a tumultuous world where so many don’t understand.”
Representing FRCC
Whether staffing a booth, riding on a float or walking in a parade, participants describe Pride as an opportunity to connect with community members and demonstrate FRCC’s commitment to belonging.
“I had an absolute blast being in the Denver Pride parade! I’m looking forward to doing it again this year,” Nichole shares.
Connecting With the Community
Harris finds meaningful connections while representing the college.
“Working in a booth felt great connecting with the community and to be able to say that FRCC values and celebrates queer students and employees, he says.
“I get to talk to potential students who were just not certain about places they might feel accepted. I’m an employee and an alum, so I can talk about FRCC from both perspectives,” he adds.
Extraordinary Energy
For librarian Michael McNovak, participating in Denver Pride for the first time was unforgettable.
“Oh my gosh. The energy was so awesome, especially when I was walking next to the float throwing [freebies]. You can just see the pure joy in people’s faces,” he remembers.
“There are so many people and so much energy. I can’t say enough good things about that day.”
Several staff members spoke about the deeper impact of Pride and what it means to visibly support students and community members.
“Participating in Pride events is always a double-edged sword for me,” Nichole says. “On one hand, I am filled with joy and celebration, and I love everything about the experience. On the other hand, I’m sad that the world is so non-inclusive that there even has to be such a division between those who celebrate and those who do the opposite.”
“As an ally, I think it’s so important to show up and show support.”
Growing and Thriving
Harris describes how Pride allows him to share his own FRCC experience.
“At the booths, I get to talk about how I felt like I could thrive at FRCC and grow in ways I wouldn’t have because I was in an environment that valued my differences,” he says. “I can’t promise their experiences will be the same, but I can talk about the values that brought me as a student and kept me staying as an employee.”
“That’s My School!”
For Grace, one moment during the parade captured the importance of FRCC’s presence.
“At one point on the parade route I heard someone from the crowd shout, ‘That’s my school!’ The fact that we were able to show that student that we support them and their community meant the world to me,” she reflects.
“Our students deserve to feel like FRCC is a place for them.”
Support Through Visibility
Michael highlighted the value of being visible in the community.
“It shows the community that here at FRCC we will support you,” he says. “We want you to come on campus and feel welcome.”
“It’s putting a face behind the name. I think events like this are important for students to meet us outside of the campus so we can show them that you know we’re people and we like to engage.”
Supporting Inclusion Year-Round
While Pride Month is a special time of celebration, FRCC employees emphasize that inclusion and support continue throughout the year.
Nichole shares how she strives to create welcoming spaces every day.
“I am always mindful and respectful of the way others live their lives. I pay attention to pronouns and avoid assumptions.”
“I also show my support as an ally in any way that I can, such as wearing a rainbow lanyard & pin, having an LGBTQ+ supportive signature in my emails, as well as inclusive flags in my office space,” she shares.
Mama Bear Energy
“I think it’s so important to make sure that our students and staff know that I’m a safe person and that I’m someone who supports who they are.”
“I have big ‘Mama Bear’ energy and I think that people who know anything about me know that I’m someone they can come to regardless of how the rest of the world sees them, or even how they see themselves.”
Being an Authentic Advocate
Harris notes the importance of authenticity and advocacy.
“Being able to be myself at work is something I consider a privilege; I try to use that as a way to elevate the experiences of people like me,” he says.
“Not all identities are visible. By bringing a more whole self to work, I can … advocate for students who might be like me or have similar needs.”
Representation Matters
As a librarian, Michael supports Pride through programming, outreach and collection development, specifically featuring books during June that talk about the history of Pride and queer identities.
He emphasizes the importance of helping students feel represented.
“I think the most important thing about that is for students to know that they’re represented in our collection,” he says.
Supporting Pride All Year
Grace summarizes the year-round commitment many employees bring to supporting LGBTQ+ students and colleagues.
“As a queer person myself, supporting my community is something that happens all year round at FRCC, not just in June.”
Looking Ahead
As the college prepares for our June Pride celebrations, the message from participants is clear: Showing up matters.
Whether through community events, campus initiatives, visible allyship or everyday acts of inclusion, Pride reflects FRCC’s commitment to creating a college community where all students and employees can belong, thrive and be celebrated for who they are.
Our community is vibrant and diverse—and you belong here.
Happy Pride Month from Front Range Community College!
