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SANDPOINT — Two decades after Sandpoint adopted the state’s first human dignity resolution, it celebrated another milestone — the first Pride celebration in the city's history.

"Pride is a celebration," said PFLAG Sandpoint president Jeff Bohnhof told the crowd before introducing a trio of speakers. "But yet it's also activism, remembering what it took to get us here."

It is important to remember times when it was a crime to be gay, or the mass shooting at The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in 2016 to the death of Newport, Washington, youth, in 2020, who authorities say was attacked because of his sexual orientation.

"We need to remember those things, but we need to also celebrate how far we've come," Bohnhof said.

Reading a post he'd found on Facebook, Bohnhof said many would never know the fear of knowing they're different, or wondering if their families will still love them after coming out, or wondering if they'd be better off dead instead of bing the "most authentic human the world will allow you to be."

To those sorting through the realization of their sexuality, Bohnhof said Pride can be the most liberating time of the year.

"So please, before you share your 'Where's my straight pride' or 'Love who you want, just don't shove your pride down my throat,' please understand what this month can mean to millions of us that struggle with the identity of who they were meant to be," he said. "Maybe even throw on a rainbow shirt and join us for this celebration because I promise it will be a good time and you will be surrounded by people who vow to love you no matter what baggage you bring to the table."

In introducing his poem, dedicated to the drag queens in Los Angeles who had his back when no one else did, Adrian Murillo talked about the harsh realities faced by "scores and scores of runaway gay kids" who were pouring into Hollywood from "every little town in America.

Straight kids who encountered the same hardships and dangers often struggled or devolved into "spiral down this hole of criminal thinking, predatory thinking, me-against-the-world thinking," Murillo said.

"The queer kids intuitively banded together because they knew their personal problems were connected to public issues. And they collectively organized to support each other, keep each other safe, advocate for each other, advance each other and they did it with such spirit and creativity and style and tactical intelligence, enduring all the challenges with shimmering resilience," Murillo said.

He called on every school district and school board to recognize LGBTQ+ youth as gifted and to treat them accordingly.

"And we will all be blown away by what they contribute to society by what they teach us about creating a society of the heart," he said. "The heart is the place where land, and community, love and freedom, intersect."

Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad noted the city was the first in Idaho to pass a human dignity resolution in 2001 and the first 10 years later to pass Idaho's first anti-discrimination legislation to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination ordinance.

"We still have much work to do," Rognstad said. "Sandpoint has seen too many times hate crimes, prejudice, discrimination, and micro-aggressions. Our community continues to respond with resilience, unity and strength."

He noted the work of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force to defend human right and dignity; and the Love Lives Here campaign, born as a cultural movement to give "strength in the face of hate."

"Our pride, our love for ourselves, and our love for those around us, makes each one of us stronger," Rognstad said. "It makes our community stronger. When I look out at all of you today, I see you in all of your your beautiful uniqueness. And I see quite clearly, love lives here."

Looking out over the crowd, Idaho state Rep. John McCrostie, D-Garden City, said he was honored to help Sandpoint celebrate its first Pride celebration.

McCrostie said his "journey to pride" began when he came out to himself in November 1994 while a junior high band teacher in his hometown.

"Coming out as gay, it was monumental for me mentally and emotionally," he said. "But I was still a school teacher in 1990s Idaho. Without knowing a thing about the law, I inherently knew that if someone in my hometown found out that I was gay, I could lose my job and my ability to support myself."

Eventually he couldn't handle the pressure of being a gay teacher in his hometown and left the profession for 10 years.

To those still on their own journey, McCrostie said he had a simple message: They are OK.

"You are a beautiful person with a beautiful soul," he added. "From my own faith background, I will tell you that I believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I am proud of you."

To those who question why there isn't a straight pride event, he had a straightforward answer.

"If your rights don't have to be defended at the Supreme Court of the United States," he said. "And if your life, liberty, property and livelihood are not threatened as a result of who you love, or who you are, then you don't need a special month or a parade or a rally."

"I believe that Pride in itself is important just for the fact of celebrating who we are, loving who we love and living our authentic selves. Pride is a time to remember how far we have come and a reminder of the challenges and the work that remains undone to protect the lives of Idaho's LGBTQ+ community."

He then gave the crowd a to-do list, encouraging them to register to vote, to vote and to consider running for office.

Seeing the turnout and the support blew him away, Bohnhof said.

From sponsors such as Matchwood Brewing and Evans Brothers to just about every major business on First Avenue, Bohnhof said reaction and support for the event has been "amazing."

"It has blown me away," he said. "It is well beyond my expectations. This being our first year, I didn't know how big it was going to be."

The inaugural event celebrated LGBTQ+ social and self-acceptance, legal rights, and pride. It drew hundreds of people of all ages, genders, and sexual identities, with some driving from as far away as Missoula and Spokane to attend.

The protest also attracted a small band of protesters, who held signs urging LBGTQ+ people to repent, and offering to pray with them. Each time members attempted to speak, several youth in the crowd quickly stood on a plastic milk crate, spoke over the group and made the occasional ribald comments until the protesters stopped speaking.

The event featured advocacy booths, music, speeches and Pride swag. There were plenty of smiles, hugs and a positive vibe as the crowd ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon.

"I'm here 'cause love is love," said Michael Iha. "And I support that no matter what. It's a human ability, it's not something so cut and dry.