Frustrated Community Members Question Flagstaff Pride’s Ethics

A last-minute appearance by Dr. Jill Biden at this year’s Flagstaff Pride left community members to lash out against their local Pride organization.

In the beginning of June this year, Flagstaff Pride was putting the finishing touches on its annual “Pride In the Pines” celebration: performers were booked, vendors were confirmed, and board members were working tirelessly. 

But 48 hours before the celebration, an announcement was made that completely uprooted the event’s schedule: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden would be speaking. 

The last-minute news caused drag performances to get rescheduled or canceled altogether, and a series of Secret Service-imposed safety changes shifted the tone of the celebration. Community members expressed confusion and dissent online, but those complaints were quashed online when Flagstaff Pride turned off comments on their Instagram posts.

The decision—which allegedly was made solely by Flagstaff Pride’s President—was a catalyst for a public uproar that called into question the legality of Flagstaff Pride’s charity status, as well as the board’s commitment to the city’s queer community……