Thank you to everyone that came out for the 2023 Pool Party! See you next year!
Check out the photos taken by Zach Lucas:
See the full album on Facebook.
Check out the photos from 2022 taken by Christopher Cleary:
See the full album on Google Drive or Facebook.
Thank you for supporting the Sara Thompson Magical Mermaid Scholarship
Thanks to you, the Magical Mermaid Scholarship made a huge, record impact for LGBTQ+ people across Colorado who seek to create positive change in the world around them. This year, for the first time, the Scholarship Committee was able to award the maximum amount of $5,000 to not one, but two incredible applicants:
Heather
A non-traditional (later in life) student going into her last year of undergraduate school before applying to medical schools. Heather grew up in the foster care system and has been very active in advocating for/supporting foster care youth as an adult. She is hoping to be an advocate for various marginalized communities from within the medical system as a physician.
Timothy
An undergraduate student who came out in the last year after finding community and safe space in the Colorado ballroom scene. Timothy plans to go to medical school after finishing his undergraduate program, hoping to help create safer experiences and better education for Queer and Trans patients in our healthcare system
Smaller scholarships were awarded to another 6 individuals, either because they specifically expressed a need for a smaller amount, or because we felt we could still make a substantial impact with slightly less than the full amount they requested.
Astrid
A trans musician & DJ heavily involved in the Colorado queer rave scene. She works hard to create connections for our community and create space for individuals who have traditionally been excluded, particularly in more rural and less LGBTQ+-friendly areas of the state.
Ava
A trans person who does direct street outreach and provides resources to other trans women in the Denver Metro area. Ava was awarded a $1,000 grant to help her complete her associate's degree and become certified as a grant writer. She has plans to move on to a bachelor's degree next.
Celi
A community organizer awarded a scholarship for attending trainings in conflict management and consent-based supportive services, with a goal of educating people in these skills.
SJ
Was a scholarship recipient in 2021, accepted to a forensic anthropology program. He seeks to promote more diverse representation in outdoor spaces and the anthropology field. He was able to enroll at CU Denver and was granted $3,000 in funding this year for a Mayan Research Program to be held in Belize.
Eli
A graduating high school senior who has been admitted to FRCC in the fall for an Associates of Arts degree, seeking to become a published author and illustrator of YA fiction and graphic novels, focusing on representation of LGBTQIA+, hearing impaired, and autistic characters.
Jude
Jude is an excellent candidate, who has certainly made a HUGE, positive change for LGBTQ+ folks across Colorado, and is planning to attend Front Range Community College next year.
Our annual events keep growing, and we want to make sure to provide our LGBTQ+ community with the best experience possible. It's through the generosity of our sponsors and partners that we can make our events a reality. If your company is interested in becoming a sponsor today, contact Juan Moreno (he/him) at jmoreno@outboulder.org.
