Avoid Telluride until town apologizes for “Straight Pride” float

Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007 6:07 PM CDT
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Dear Editor,

I was not present at the Fourth of July parade, but news of the Straight Pride float has made it to Denver, where I live. I have not been to Telluride in years and have a friend who has been urging me to visit. As a gay man, news of this float makes it less likely I will visit Telluride. Gay people have enough to worry about, why go to a town that believes such a float has anyplace in society today? Would a black person want to head up the road to Telluride in a remote corner of Colorado if a mockery of the Million Man March won second prize in the comedy category? I think not. I would urge all attendees of Gay Ski Week and other gay people to boycott Telluride until a complete and unqualified apology be offered by all of those involved in the float, parade organizers, and parade judges. If someone tried a float like that in Denver, it wouldn’t make it a block, and Mayor Hickenlooper would be out front — yes, out front — condemning it. Where is the Mayor of Telluride on this issue?

Sincerely,

Jason Matherly