Tulalip Pride brings together local LGBT community

LGBT Tulalip Tribal members and their allies came together on Aug. 13 for the area’s first official Pride gathering.

Food was served and music played outside the Don Hatch Community Center during the Tulalip Pride event.

“I think it’s really cool. I feel whole right now, even if it’s just a small area, it’s cool to see it out here,” said Marcquell Napeahi, child of a Tulalip Tribal member and part of the LGBT community “I’m overwhelmed with happiness."

Community members came out to recognize their LGBT community members.

“We’re here to celebrate our two-spirit community and our gay, lesbian and transgender community,” said Lou Ann Carter, a Tulalip Tribal and part of the LGBT community.

‘Two-spirit’ is a catchall term for the various Native historical traditions regarding gender, many of which included individuals outside of the traditional western gender binary.

The Pride gathering was originally scheduled for last year but was delayed due to COVID.

This is the first year that the event was held.

“One year we did a walk and that was cool, but it’s been a couple of years since an event like that,” said Carter.

Antonia Ramos is a Tulalip Tribal member who works as a therapist for the Tribes and also came out to support her LGBT sister.

She said she was glad a Pride gathering was being held in the area.

“Traditionally for Tulalip, we gather for everything and I think that was what was so difficult with COVID,” she said. “It’s really important for us as Indigenous people to have those gathering, so this [Pride gathering] just makes sense. It’s important to dance and sing for that like we would with any other part of Native life.”

Participants at the event enjoyed helping support a Pride event in Tulalip.

“I’ve never been a part of something like this before,” said Napeahi. “I feel like it’s something that people need to be more aware of out here, but worldwide too, of course.”

They also hoped to show encouragement to local youth who may be dealing with issues around their sexuality or gender.

“We want to spread awareness and be there to support those who need it,” said Napeahi.

“Everybody here is important,” said Carter.

Representatives from various Tulalip departments also came out to support the event.

Ramos said she was glad to see the departments “come together to show that it doesn’t matter who you love or how you present yourself, there’s a place here for everyone.”

“If nothing else they are making those connections with people in the future if they ever feel alienated or alone,” she added.

She encouraged local Native residents to talk with Tulalip therapists if they are struggling with parts of their own identity.

“This event is really important because some people don’t really know where to go or how to explore their sexuality,” said Ramos. “Come find me, even if it’s just to talk.”