‘I’ve felt supported, needed, wanted, admired’: Breckenridge celebrates Pride
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
The night that Mark Holmes first came out to his parents 40 years ago, he found himself searching for an escape.
His family was in Vail at the time, and he’d read stories in magazines about nearby Breckenridge’s Bunk House Lodge — an LGBTQ+ safe haven that’s welcomed members of the community for more than 50 years. That night, in the safety of the Bunk House, he shared dinner with others at the lodge — and met a man he was interested in.
Now, the 72-year-old Air Force veteran came back to Breckenridge on Friday, June 12, staying at the Bunk House lodge and riding his motorcycle as a leader in the town’s Pride march.
He was joined by other members of the HawgsDawgs — a motorcycle club that Holmes founded 25 years ago. In recent years, the Bunk House has become their de facto clubhouse.
“We’re part of the town in some small way now,” Holmes said.
Mitch Rinquist, the Bunk House’s current owner and the march’s grand marshall, deeply understands the need for the LGBTQ+ community to have a place to gather and feel safe being themselves.
In 2019 he was attacked by members of his family.
“A nephew of mine with complicity from two of my brothers broke my orbital socket in my face, and I now have a titanium plate holding my face together,” he explained.
Throughout the weekend’s three days of events — where he celebrated pride among hordes of rainbow-dressed attendees marching to the tune of music by Chappel Roan and Lady Gaga — he found a place of safety and belonging.
“I’ve felt supported, needed, wanted, admired,” he said. “I’ve felt loved. I feel a part of.”
Through celebration, he wants to showcase the similarities between people, regardless of how they identify.
“We are no different than anyone else. That’s the message that resonates most with me,” he said. “We are no different than any other human that walks the planet. We just happen to love the same sex, in my case.”
The rest of the politicians, bikers, parents, children, drag performers, friends and couples who marched down Breckenridge’s Main Street this weekend each brought their own stories and reasons for celebrating pride.
For Paul Miller and Michael Weid, — both members of HawgsDawgs— that reason is visibility.
The couple lives in north central Texas, where they own a “clothing-optional men’s campground.”
On Friday, they stood on the sidewalk of Breckenridge’s Main Street holding hands. But outside of the safety of their camp’s grounds, things are different for them at home.
“There, in Athens, Texas, we do not walk holding hands,” Miller said.
Another attendee, Oliver Moon, said their reason for attending Breckenridge’s Pride march was, in part, to honor their best friend — a bisexual woman who passed away from suicide two years ago.
Moon also attended the march to celebrate their recent move to Fairplay, which they say is more accepting of their identity than places they’ve lived in the past.
“I just moved from Florida, which is a very homophobic state,” they said. “It’s just really important to me to be surrounded by other queer people and to feel loved and safe and at home.”
They explained that, in Fairplay, more people are accepting of their gender identity and use their preferred pronouns.
“I haven’t hardly been misgendered at all since being out here,” they said. “I feel more at home than I have ever in my life.”
Some, like Attorney General candidate Michael Dougherty — a Democrat who currently serves as Boulder’s district attorney — came solely to pledge their support for others.
“I will always fight for marginalized and vulnerable communities,” he said. “That means showing up and being an ally and a partner and being a fighter when they need it.”
Dougherty wasn’t the only ally in the crowd — some wore T-shirts offering “free mom hugs” as part of a movement to support LGBTQ+ community members whose biological parents don’t.
For Rinquist, who has himself experienced a lack of familial support, Sunday — the last day of Breckenridge Pride — marked an end to the festivities and a return to his regular work at the Bunk House, where he’ll continue to share his message and uphold the lodge’s 50-year history of welcoming LGBTQ+ guests.
“I practice this ability to communicate this message of equality, unity, community,” he said. “I get to be on the front lines of that.”
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A parent holds their child on their shoulders while participating in Breckenridge’s Pride March on June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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Breckenridge’s Pride march was held on Saturday, June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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Breckenridge’s Pride march was held on June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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A marcher holds up a handmade sign at Breckenridge’s Pride march on June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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A member of HawgsDawgs shows off their jacket and a rainbow flag at the Breckenridge Pride march on June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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Attorney General candidate Michael Dougherty poses with LeeLee, a drag performer, while at Breckenridge’s Pride March on June 12.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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Oliver Moon holds up a photograph of their best friend who passed away from suicide two years ago.
Jessica Sachs/Summit Daily News
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