Message from the Board Chair, Rick Partridge | March 2025
March 2025
Message from the Board Chair, Rick Partridge
As we welcome March, I am thrilled to share some exciting developments and upcoming events that embody our commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant community. I also want to give a warm welcome to our three new Board Members: Maciel Dotson (she/her), Kacey Hadick (he/him) and Laura Lapointe (she/her)! You can learn more about them, as well as our eight re-elected Board Members here
Introducing Our Core Values
Our all-volunteer Board has recently approved a set of core values that reflect our dedication to the LGBTQ+ community in Western Nevada County:
Visibility: Ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices, stories, and experiences are heard, recognized, and valued in all spaces.
Initiative: Taking responsibility for driving change and encouraging others to lead in creating a more just and inclusive society.
Respect: Valuing each individual's identity, experiences, and perspectives, fostering an environment of inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding.
Collaboration: Working together to foster strong partnerships and amplify collective impact to create a more inclusive world.
Resilience: Honoring the strength and perseverance of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of adversity and celebrating our ability to thrive despite challenges.
Empowerment: Empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to take ownership of their voices, rights, and futures, supporting their journey toward self-determination and success.
These values will guide our actions and initiatives as we strive to celebrate, support, and advocate for our community in these uncertain and turbulent times.
Upcoming Events
We have a variety of events planned for March that align with our mission to promote community, diversity, and respect through events, education, and resources:
Safe Spaces for Youth: Continuing our partnership with The Cauldron, we offer weekly meet-ups every Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM for queer youth aged 13-19. These gatherings provide a safe space, community, and resources, with each week featuring different themes such as movie nights, game nights, and craft nights.
Queer Reads Book Club: Join us on March 19th for an engaging discussion on selected LGBTQ+ literature. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow readers and explore diverse narratives.
Nevada County Pride Board Meeting: Our monthly Board meeting is open to the public and will take place on March 21st at the Madelyn Helling Library. We welcome your participation and input as we plan future initiatives.
Dyke Night: Celebrate community and camaraderie on March 26th at our monthly Dyke Night. All are welcome to join in an evening of fun and connection.
And looking ahead into April, Nevada County Pride and Onyx Downtown are proud to present a special screening of Surviving the Silence, an inspiring documentary that tells the powerful story of love, resilience, and activism within the LGBTQ+ community. This fundraising event will take place on Tuesday, April 29th, at the Nevada Theatre. The screening will be followed by a conversation with the film maker, Cindy L. Abel, and the two women profiled in the film, Colonel Pat Thompson and her wife, Barbara Brass. You can learn more about the film and purchase tickets here.
For more information on how to donate or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Pepper at homeswithpepper@gmail.com.
We Need You! Please Get Involved
We have many new and exciting community events coming up in the next few months including a very full line-up of June Pride celebrations. We encourage you to participate in these events and consider volunteering with Nevada County Pride. Your involvement helps us create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. For more information on volunteering opportunities, please visit our website.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our community. Together, we are making a difference.