Mt. Hood Pride Celebrates Community Inclusion

By: Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

Kicking off their seventh annual Mt. Hood Pride event on Sunday, June 21st, Coffee House 26 celebrated The Mt. Hood Villages’ queer community with a carnival-themed event. Cohosted by local business Wander Free & Queer, this year’s pride celebration shifted from Coffee House 26’s pride day to Mt. Hood Pride, an inclusive shift of community members from The Mt. Hood Villages to Government Camp.

A dedicated ally of the queer community, Coffee House 26’s commitment to inclusion and visibility has always been at the forefront of their mission, raising money for organizations such as The Trevor Project. With the help of Danella Demary and Allie Schouten of Wander Free & Queer, Mt. Hood Pride’s success was in no small part due to the community’s support and encouragement. “At its heart, Mt. Hood Pride is about belonging,” Demary said, adding that the event is and will continue to be a substance-free and family-friendly event. “We are so proud to use this platform for this purpose, and all proceeds from our raffle event will benefit The Trevor Project who offer support and life-saving crisis services for L.G.B.T.Q.+ youth.”

With over a dozen vendors, live music, carnival-themed games, food, drink specials, authors, and The Hoodland Mobile Library, Mt. Hood Pride’s celebration brought out community members of all ages. Demary explains that Pride has always held a special place in her heart and this particular event, in her own backyard, means so much more. “Wander Free & Queer has always participated in Pride events all over the Pacific Northwest, but to cohost and participate in this event with Coffee House 26, right here in our home town, was special on a whole different level.” Demary added that “seeing our community’s involvement, from our wonderful volunteers to those who came out in support of our queer community, will always be a memory I look back on fondly.”

Mt. Hood Pride also included a raffle of items donated from local Mt. Hood Villages businesses, community members, and friends wishing to do their part for The Trevor Project. Raffle items included local gift cards from restaurants and bars, baskets of popular beverages and snacks, summer-themed items, handmade artwork, toys, and coffee related baskets. With tons of raffle items to chose from, guests contributed to the The Trevor Project and their youth suicide hotline. “Although the event focuses on celebration and inclusion, our goal has always been to raise as much money as possible,” Demary said, adding “every dollar that went toward the raffle and every item donated is going toward saving lives, and that’s the best reward possible for a pride celebration.”

Although this was the first collaboration between Coffee House 26 and Wander Free & Queer, the success of the event inspired early planning for next year’s Mt. Hood Pride celebration. Demary acknowledges the dedication of volunteers, vendors, and performers, and their contributions to the success of the event. She encourages the community to be prepared for Pride 2027. “I know we’ve got a year to go, but if this event gave us any indication as to what to expect as we move forward, it will only continue to get better, brighter, and louder.”