For the first time ever, Cochranites will have the chance to celebrate Pride Week here at home.

Pride Week will take place Aug. 17 to 24 and will be filled with a week of activities and celebrations. 

Kindred Cochrane Pride Society chair, Renita Bartlett says it will all start with raising the pride flag for the first time. 

"We're going to start off with a flag raising on the 17 and that's going to be at the Cochrane RancheHouse at 6 p.m. All are welcome. We would love to see all of our allies out as well to support and there will be some speeches."

On Aug. 18 there will be a family-friendly drag show at the Community Flatbread Company but Bartlett says tickets for that event have already sold out. 

On Aug. 21, the movie Prayers for Bobby will be shown at the Cochrane Movie House at 8:30 p.m. You can still get tickets for that. 

Then on Aug. 22 there will be an adults-only drag show held at The Stump Tavern. Tickets for that event are also sold out. 

They had planned on a parade but because of COVID-19, they opted to not go ahead with that, but Bartlett says plans are already in the works for a parade next year. 

She says they've taken steps to be mindful of the pandemic when planning the events including decreasing their numbers and they're encouraging folks to wear masks to all of the indoor events.

Bartlett says it's important to dedicate this time to promote inclusiveness.

"Pride historically everywhere has been events that are dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ2S+ voices in the community. It's a celebration of our culture and the continued support of our rights."

"We're very proud of the rights that we have been given so we want to recognize that. It's about people coming together in love and friendship, so we do have to maintain that physical distancing but we still want people to feel included in our community and make some new friends and feel like they're connected."

Bartlett says it's important to celebrate but to also look back. 

"Also, a time for teaching acceptance and for us as a community to continue to move forward in equality. And, of course pride calls on all people to remember how damaging homophobia was and continues to still be."

Sink or Swim Tattoo Co. is also hosting a tattoo event next week in support of the Kindred Cochrane Pride Society as well.

Kindred is a volunteer run organization that focuses on promoting and celebrating diversity, equality, and inclusion for Cochrane area residents.

You can go here to learn more about the Kindred Cochrane Pride Society.