Ames Pride “Roles” Out New Opportunities for the Public
June 2021 Ames Pride has reimagined what it takes to be a leader in a non-profit organization. Understanding that the time commitment to serve on the board of a non-profit is nearly impossible to navigate for members of most marginalized communities, the Ames LGBTQIA+ organization has created an entirely new way for people to engage.
“Our working board is made up of unpaid volunteers that do all of the business of the organization. We understand that in order to do the quality advocacy, education and community development people have come to expect from Ames Pride while expanding into areas where we are needed, we would also need to rethink how people can be involved in the work with us,” says A Norman, Ames Pride Chair.
To date, Ames Pride has done much with the small but mighty board and committed volunteers. Multiple successful Pridefests, quality educational programming, life-saving youth advocacy and a YouTube channel that documents their work are among the hallmarks.
“Being a board member is time- and energy-intensive and we recognize that not everyone is able to make that kind of commitment to Ames Pride. By investigating what it is the organization really needs in order to reach our goals, we were able to chart commitment levels that may be more manageable for people to take on. In the end, that translated to recruiting for roles beyond serving on the board of directors," says nicci port, Ames Pride Vice Chair.
And that work resulted in a menu of roles based on level of commitment ranging from “self-determined” to “very high.” Roles are varied and include Student Ambassador, Hype Squad, Research Force and Pridefest Sub-committee. Visitors to www.amespride.org/join can peruse the menu before deciding to fill out a questionnaire to share their interest in those roles.
port adds, “We hope that this intentional structure makes Ames Pride inviting and accessible to a more diverse membership. Ames Pride will move forward in meaningful ways through the leadership of *all* members of the LGBTQ+ community, and this is one tangible way we are trying to continue that movement.”
“Our working board is made up of unpaid volunteers that do all of the business of the organization. We understand that in order to do the quality advocacy, education and community development people have come to expect from Ames Pride while expanding into areas where we are needed, we would also need to rethink how people can be involved in the work with us,” says A Norman, Ames Pride Chair.
To date, Ames Pride has done much with the small but mighty board and committed volunteers. Multiple successful Pridefests, quality educational programming, life-saving youth advocacy and a YouTube channel that documents their work are among the hallmarks.
“Being a board member is time- and energy-intensive and we recognize that not everyone is able to make that kind of commitment to Ames Pride. By investigating what it is the organization really needs in order to reach our goals, we were able to chart commitment levels that may be more manageable for people to take on. In the end, that translated to recruiting for roles beyond serving on the board of directors," says nicci port, Ames Pride Vice Chair.
And that work resulted in a menu of roles based on level of commitment ranging from “self-determined” to “very high.” Roles are varied and include Student Ambassador, Hype Squad, Research Force and Pridefest Sub-committee. Visitors to www.amespride.org/join can peruse the menu before deciding to fill out a questionnaire to share their interest in those roles.
port adds, “We hope that this intentional structure makes Ames Pride inviting and accessible to a more diverse membership. Ames Pride will move forward in meaningful ways through the leadership of *all* members of the LGBTQ+ community, and this is one tangible way we are trying to continue that movement.”
Ames Pridefest Announces "Pride Around Town" 2021
The leaders of Ames Pridefest recognize the ongoing risks presented by COVID-19, and the need to protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable. As such, in lieu of our annual street festival, the committee is excited to present a slate of hybrid-format programs this fall taking place September 5 -10, including a celebratory community-wide event on September 11.
For Ames Pridefest’s “Pride Around Town” finale, we welcome community members, businesses, and organizations across Ames to show your LGBTQIA+ pride and support by creating Pride-themed lawn, vehicle, storefront, and window displays that can be viewed by community members as they walk or ride around town on Saturday, September 11. Community members who cannot or prefer not to decorate their own homes may be partnered with a local business to create a storefront display. Participating businesses and organizations will be featured on a “Pride Around Town” map, and prizes will be awarded to businesses and organizations with the best displays, as voted on by community members.
For Ames Pridefest’s “Pride Around Town” finale, we welcome community members, businesses, and organizations across Ames to show your LGBTQIA+ pride and support by creating Pride-themed lawn, vehicle, storefront, and window displays that can be viewed by community members as they walk or ride around town on Saturday, September 11. Community members who cannot or prefer not to decorate their own homes may be partnered with a local business to create a storefront display. Participating businesses and organizations will be featured on a “Pride Around Town” map, and prizes will be awarded to businesses and organizations with the best displays, as voted on by community members.
Ames Pride Statement to the Ames Community School District on the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action
31 January 2021 We commend the efforts of the Ames Community School District to continue the equity work you have been doing and to begin intentional critical consciousness conversations in the learning environment. Specifically, we support your use of the Black Lives Matter at School curriculum to this end. Our community needs to empower Black, including Black queer and trans, students to live a full and unapologetically Black life.
At Ames Pride, we recognize that public schools across the country have failed and continue to fail to create an equitable learning environment for students. Specifically, discrimination, bias, and a lack of resources to prevent and respond to bullying have harmed our queer youth, especially Black and Brown queer, transgender, and gender-diverse youth. QTBIPOC youth are at heightened risk for mental and physical health issues, and all too often, those impacts result in death - 2-6x more often, depending on the specific harms experienced.
We at Ames Pride are here to assist in your ongoing efforts and thank you again for moving forward in this work. We are happy to explore partnership opportunities with you in the future.
At Ames Pride, we recognize that public schools across the country have failed and continue to fail to create an equitable learning environment for students. Specifically, discrimination, bias, and a lack of resources to prevent and respond to bullying have harmed our queer youth, especially Black and Brown queer, transgender, and gender-diverse youth. QTBIPOC youth are at heightened risk for mental and physical health issues, and all too often, those impacts result in death - 2-6x more often, depending on the specific harms experienced.
We at Ames Pride are here to assist in your ongoing efforts and thank you again for moving forward in this work. We are happy to explore partnership opportunities with you in the future.
Maximum Ames and Ames Pridefest 2020 Partner Up Again
10 September 2020 Organizers of the Maximum Ames Music Festival and Ames Pridefest announced on Thursday a collaboration to produce a one-day livestream event that will include music, poetry and other exciting content from a diverse range of artists.
The Maximum Ames Livestream Special will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, with content to be streamed to a Maximum Ames YouTube page at no charge to viewers. A full schedule of content will be published before the livestream special.
The programming will be recorded in a handful of locations around Ames with no live audiences, which will allow producers and artists to observe safe physical distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 Maximum Ames Music Festival, but festival organizers immediately began considering the possibility of holding a virtual event instead.
“We were heartbroken to have to cancel the 2020 Maximum Ames Music Festival, but we’re still committed to our mission to provide a safe, inclusive environment that fosters creativity and understanding through music and art,” said Maximum Ames co-producer Mara Spooner. “We’re taking this bold step into the virtual world so we can keep the music going, despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic.”
In addition to music, the Maximum Ames Livestream Special will feature informational content encouraging viewers to vote in the 2020 general election on Nov. 3. The program also will feature content curated by Ames Pridefest. Maximum Ames and Pridefest have coordinated the dates of their showcase events since 2018, and the livestream special will strengthen the partnership between the two organizations.
"We are so excited to continue partnering with MAMF this year, especially in these unconventional times!" said A Norman, co-chair of the Ames Pridefest Planning Committee.
Additional information about the livestream special, including a full lineup and schedule, will appear on the Maximum Ames and Ames Pridefest social media profiles in the weeks ahead.
The Maximum Ames Livestream Special will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, with content to be streamed to a Maximum Ames YouTube page at no charge to viewers. A full schedule of content will be published before the livestream special.
The programming will be recorded in a handful of locations around Ames with no live audiences, which will allow producers and artists to observe safe physical distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 Maximum Ames Music Festival, but festival organizers immediately began considering the possibility of holding a virtual event instead.
“We were heartbroken to have to cancel the 2020 Maximum Ames Music Festival, but we’re still committed to our mission to provide a safe, inclusive environment that fosters creativity and understanding through music and art,” said Maximum Ames co-producer Mara Spooner. “We’re taking this bold step into the virtual world so we can keep the music going, despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic.”
In addition to music, the Maximum Ames Livestream Special will feature informational content encouraging viewers to vote in the 2020 general election on Nov. 3. The program also will feature content curated by Ames Pridefest. Maximum Ames and Pridefest have coordinated the dates of their showcase events since 2018, and the livestream special will strengthen the partnership between the two organizations.
"We are so excited to continue partnering with MAMF this year, especially in these unconventional times!" said A Norman, co-chair of the Ames Pridefest Planning Committee.
Additional information about the livestream special, including a full lineup and schedule, will appear on the Maximum Ames and Ames Pridefest social media profiles in the weeks ahead.
A Message from the Ames Pride Executive Team
03 June 2020 June is here and with that comes celebrations of queer culture. Sometimes we forget how we got here. Sometimes we forget that Pride started out as a riot led by black trans women, including Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, at The Stonewall Inn in response to over-policing and violence perpetrated on patrons.
What we are seeing today are uprisings from folks seeking to end racism, anti-blackness, and white supremacy within our policing systems and throughout our society. Ridding these structures of anti-blackness and white supremacy must be a part of our ongoing fight for freedom and justice.
The LGBTQIA+ community is not immune from perpetuating harm, either. Black, brown, and trans experiences are often left out. What little popular media and movements that exist center around white, cisgender, and heteronormative themes and representation. Ames Pride has not lived up to our pledge to uplift the black and brown community and for this, we apologize. We are actively working to improve and undo this harm. To this end, we commit ourselves to bringing people together, providing anti-racism training for our board members, and opening ourselves up to critique through programming and outreach.
As we map out our commitment, we welcome critique and guidance from our black and brown community. You can reach us at hello@amespride.org.
What we are seeing today are uprisings from folks seeking to end racism, anti-blackness, and white supremacy within our policing systems and throughout our society. Ridding these structures of anti-blackness and white supremacy must be a part of our ongoing fight for freedom and justice.
The LGBTQIA+ community is not immune from perpetuating harm, either. Black, brown, and trans experiences are often left out. What little popular media and movements that exist center around white, cisgender, and heteronormative themes and representation. Ames Pride has not lived up to our pledge to uplift the black and brown community and for this, we apologize. We are actively working to improve and undo this harm. To this end, we commit ourselves to bringing people together, providing anti-racism training for our board members, and opening ourselves up to critique through programming and outreach.
As we map out our commitment, we welcome critique and guidance from our black and brown community. You can reach us at hello@amespride.org.
Ames Pridefest Leaders Announce Festival Cancellation, Event Changes
28 April 2020 In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of the annual Ames Pridefest celebration have announced the annual street festival is cancelled for 2020. The organizers are continuing to work with their partners throughout Central Iowa to develop alternative programming in the coming months.
“While we won’t be hosting Ames Pridefest in its traditional format this Fall, we remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and celebratory environment to uplift all members of the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Ames,” said nicci port, Co-Chair of the Ames Pridefest Committee.
In a typical year, Ames Pridefest is an outdoor festival in downtown Ames, Iowa. The event usually showcases local food vendors, business and non-profit partners, family-friendly educational programming, and live performances.
“This was a tough decision to make, but we are looking forward to exploring new ways we can celebrate the Ames LGBTQIA+ community in the coming year,” said A Norman, Co-Chair of the Ames Pridefest Committee. “While the event will likely look much different this year, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders to evaluate other ways we can celebrate the progress we’re making as members of this community.”
Updates will be communicated as they are available on amespride.org or on the Ames Pride Facebook page.
“While we won’t be hosting Ames Pridefest in its traditional format this Fall, we remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and celebratory environment to uplift all members of the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Ames,” said nicci port, Co-Chair of the Ames Pridefest Committee.
In a typical year, Ames Pridefest is an outdoor festival in downtown Ames, Iowa. The event usually showcases local food vendors, business and non-profit partners, family-friendly educational programming, and live performances.
“This was a tough decision to make, but we are looking forward to exploring new ways we can celebrate the Ames LGBTQIA+ community in the coming year,” said A Norman, Co-Chair of the Ames Pridefest Committee. “While the event will likely look much different this year, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders to evaluate other ways we can celebrate the progress we’re making as members of this community.”
Updates will be communicated as they are available on amespride.org or on the Ames Pride Facebook page.