Colorado Springs – A diversity festival here that had a controversial beginning ended up more of a typical street fair. But it is still a starting point to change this city’s conservative, white image, attendees said.
“We are normally the butt-end of sound bites,” Jay Patel, a co-chair of Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, said of the city’s reputation. “Today, I am hoping that the media will find us doing something right.”
Patel has lived here for 28 years after fleeing the civil war in Zimbabwe in the 1970s.
The Springs population is far more diverse than its reputation as a white, conservative stronghold would indicate, he said.
And diversity and acceptance of different cultures helps attract global business, he added.
When the festival was first proposed this spring, some City Council members objected to waiving costs for park rental, police service and barricades.
They were concerned that gay and lesbian groups would make it a forum to tout a political agenda.
Politicians were convinced that the event would not be a sounding board for any particular agenda and their opposition evaporated, said Susan Saksa, who co-chaired the event.
The council unanimously voted to sponsor the festival, which included cultural dancers, ethnic food and music.
“We explained that diversity can be fun, that it is a celebration, the concern seemed to melt away,” she said of the festival, which included entertainment on three stages.
At a booth manned by members of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, Ryan Acker said members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community come from different races and backgrounds. “LGBT people are a diverse community, so we felt it was important to be here,” he said.
Carol Buchholz, a retired teacher who attended the festival, said Colorado Springs needs more activities like the fair to increase acceptance of those who are different.
The city’s reputation as a conservative bastion is well-deserved, said Buchholz, who has lived here for 50 years.
“There are subtle pressures to assume that there is one way of doing things,” said her husband, Jerry.
Walt Palmer, 57, said Colorado Springs really needed to have an event celebrating diversity.
Palmer, a professional photographer who moved from Dallas seven years ago, said one of the things that attracted him to Colorado Springs is the mix of racial and cultural diversity that actually exists here.
“Colorado Springs has more than just an evangelical community and a military community,” he said. “There is actually an art scene and a music scene starting to happen. I am glad to see the city celebrating something that can be good for all.”
Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.
