Erin Cook/Courtesy photo
BY KELLY DOLEJSI
It’s time to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride! This year marks the sixth Los Alamos Pride Week, June 11-17, and the fourth in-person Pride Festival from 3-7 p.m. Friday June 16, on the lawn at Central Park Square (adjacent to Boese Bros and the Y Express). As Pride Week approaches, Friends of Los Alamos Pride would like to introduce its board members — the heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears behind all the county’s Pride festivities. Today, we would like you to meet Erin Cook.
Erin Cook, who are you?
My family and I moved to town in 2018 where I was offered a job teaching sixth-grade English Language Arts at Mountain Elementary. This is my absolute dream job since graduating from university as an elementary teacher. I have a recent graduate of and a junior at LAHS. I’m a designated Safe Space at my school site, and have been active in Pride events over the last few years.
Why did you join FLAP?
Between my own family and my school family, I feel very strongly about accepting all our beautiful differences and supporting my LGBTQIA+ families.
Why is Pride important to you, to Los Alamos, and to the broader community?
I feel Pride is an important time for the community to join together in the beauty, color, and support of our friends and family that are often mistreated, misjudged, and overlooked. It’s a wonderful time for everyone to show their true colors and join together in enjoyable events for the whole family while representation of the LGBTQIA+ community can shine.
Why is Pride important right now, at this point in history?
With so much ugliness in the news, and even in our own town, toward LGBTQIA+ folks, artists, authors, and community, coming out to support our friends, family, and neighbors as allies feels like the least I can do. Working with so many of our LAPS youth, I have seen firsthand how much the power of acceptance, respect, and representation matters. Spreading positivity, love, and diversity rather than division is such an important part of all of the Pride events.
What Pride event are you most looking forward to?
I’m certainly looking forward to so many of the events over Pride week, but my love is always the creative outlet like the painting of the White Rock rock and the tunnel (near the Los Alamos Co-op). You’ll see me at both, and don’t hesitate to stop and say hello. I have some really fun and inclusive ideas for our painting so ALL ages, abilities, and fun-loving folks are welcome. I’m excited to see a great turnout for events. I encourage you to bring yourself, friends, and family. Invite all your friends and neighbors to these great supportive events.