Idaho's state capital and largest city is the city of Boise Gay Pride in mid-June - this year the festival takes place over four days, from June 17 through June 20, 2009. The event takes place just a few days before the Southern Idaho GLBT Community Center's Twin Falls Gay Pride, which takes place in 2009 from June 22 through June 27 in the state's scenic Magic Valley.
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in Boise during Gay PrideThose unfamiliar with Idaho may wonder a bit about the size and visibility of the gay community here. Idaho's relatively conservative politics and recent controversies concerning Sen. Larry Craig and his arrest in a Minneapolis men's room for lewd conduct (he eventually pled guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct) gives some gay visitors pause. On the other hand, Boise is a beautifully situated university town with an increasingly progressive population and more and more gays and lesbians moving into the region to take advantage of the sunny climate, attractive scenery, friendly manner, and excellent economic climate and high quality of life.
Boise Gay Pride has been steadily growing in participation and visibility in recent years, and in 2008 a new Pride committee formed to begin overseeing the event. Here's a quick look at Boise Gay Pride in 2009:On Wednesday, June 17, there's a Pride Movie Night held at The Flicks Boise cafe and cinema, and from 9 pm until 2 am there's a "Colors of Pride Toga Party" at the Balcony Club, Boise's popular gay club.
The main event on June 18, Thursday (at 8 pm) is Boise Queer Idol at Humpin' Hannah's club at 621 W. Main St..
Saturday, June 20, is the big day for Boise Gay Pride, as there's a Pride Rally, Parade, and Festival throughout the day, with the activities centered around Ann Morrison Park.
The rally runs from 10:30 am until 11:30 am at Boise City Hall steps (at 150 N. Capitol Blvd.), at which time the Pride Parade begins (departing from City Hall, turning south down 9th Street, and ending at the festival grounds at Ann Morrison Park). Here's a map of the Boise Gay Pride parade route.
The parade is followed by the Boise Gay Pride Festival, with live entertainment from noon until 7 pm.
Of course, additionally, plenty of gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops will be extra busy during the weekend, and catering heavily to LGBT visitors. Check the local gay paper, Diversity Idaho News, for details. Also keep in mind that in 2007, downtown Boise saw the opening of a very hip, cool, and gay-friendly accommodation, the swanky Hotel 43, an excellent place to stay if you're planning a visit.
