Pride Fest has the ceremonial support of a city leader for the first time in several years

An annual event in Colorado Springs organized by gays and lesbians has the ceremonial support of a city leader for the first time in several years.

Colorado Springs is the home of Wil Perkins, author of a 1992 ballot issue that barred Colorado cities from passing laws to protect gays from discrimination. Mayor Lionel Rivera often issues proclamations for city events, but he has withheld his support for Pride Fest since 2003 because the event hosts same-sex commitment ceremonies and he opposes gay marriage.

It became an annual ritual for the Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center, which puts on the event, to request his proclamation and for him to reject the request. Pride Fest found an unlikely knight in shining armor this year: Vice Mayor Larry Small. He has issued a personal letter of support for Pride Fest, which will include a parade and interfaith religious service Sunday.

Gay-friendly bar The Underground, 110 N. Nevada Ave., has hoisted a banner thanking Vice Mayor Larry Small for his support for Pride Day this year.

Small, a self-described conservative Republican, says gays and lesbians are members of the community who pay taxes, own businesses.

Unlike the mayor, however, he doesn’t think those stances preclude him from giving a nod to the gay community.

"These are citizens of the community who are having an event, and they need to be appreciated like any other group. They pay taxes, own businesses, and volunteer their time for community organizations," Small said. "I’m not going to treat people differently just because other people might like or dislike them. I wasn’t elected to judge any of them."