I have deep gratitude and profound sorrow regarding the recent Castle Rock Pride Festival in Douglas County, an event meant to celebrate love, inclusivity, and the LGBTQ+ community. I am incredibly grateful that my young adult children went early and had the opportunity to be themselves and enjoy space they usually avoid due to their prevailing experiences of hatefulness in Douglas County overall.

Distressingly, the festival was disrupted by intruders wearing identical shirts. The religious militia group, Able Shepherd, succeeded to intimidate and terrorize children and attendees in Jesus’ name. To add insult to injury, the white supremacy group Patriot Front showed up, and several friends heard homophobic slurs like “groomers” “pedophiles” and “you don’t deserve to live.” These acts of hatred and intimidation are antithetical to the values that the Pride Festival represents and anyone who believes in Jesus. Every human deserves to be treated respectfully.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has released a video of someone spray painting “Groomers” on a Douglas County Fairgrounds building and a few cars. Far right extremists have been making these unfounded “groomer” accusations for years. But in fact, overwhelming evidence shows that heterosexual men commit the highest percentage of sexual predatory acts against children.

Despite warnings from CR Pride organizers about potential dangers there was a lack of police action to protect attendees. Children could be heard crying and the intended psychological harm was done. Why weren’t more police officers called to protect the citizens who were lawfully there to enjoy themselves? Is it because Able Shepherd and DCSO train together? Why were these grown “Christian” men allowed to stay and make children cry in fear at a peaceful and love-filled event? These questions demand answers. The inactions of our elected officials and silence from DCSO are deeply disappointing and suggest a bias that warrants thorough independent investigations.

It is essential that we, as a community, stand united against all hatred and bigotry. Religious freedoms do not supersede constitutional rights. The Pride Festival is a symbol of the progress we have made as a society. The point of Pride is to create a safe place for people to be themselves. Let us learn from this incident and work together to create a more inclusive and protected environment for everyone in Castle Rock and beyond.

Jennifer Iversen

Castle Pines