From Silence to Celebration: Building LGBTQ+ Community in the Snoqualmie Valley

In 2008, the Day of Silence at Mount Si High School became a defining moment for many LGBTQ+ students in the Snoqualmie Valley. Among them was Nova Blaire, a student navigating an environment where being openly queer often felt isolating and unsafe.

That year’s event, meant to highlight the silencing of LGBTQ+ voices, instead became a national spectacle when it drew protests, media attention, and an obvious divide in the community.

Outside the school, Redmond pastor Ken Hutcherson led about 100 demonstrators in opposition to the event, arguing that LGBTQ+ advocacy had no place in a public school. Counter-protesters responded by chanting, blowing whistles, and holding signs, turning the school into a battleground over LGBTQ+ rights. Nearly 500 students, about one-third of the school, stayed home, some in protest and others out of concern for their safety.

Blaire was among the students who attended that day, witnessing firsthand how deeply divided the community was. “All students in attendance that day were greeted at the entrance by news crews, helicopters, police, K9 Units, and the bomb squad,” Blaire recalled. “My mother, who dropped me off at school, was not accepting of queer people at that time. I looked at her from the passenger seat and asked, ‘Do I have to go in there?’ She said yes, I had to go because of ‘what I believe in.’”

That moment solidified Blaire’s commitment to standing firm in her identity. “Although she was not fully accepting of me then, I’m glad she said that and that I went to school that day. From then on, I vowed to stand strong in my identity and morals and would not waiver.”

The impact of that day went beyond the immediate tension. It became a stark reminder of how few safe spaces there were for LGBTQ+ students in the Valley at the time. “Mt. Si had a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) who met after school, but my mom didn’t allow me to go. The few times I did, I lied about where I was. I’m so grateful for the teachers who ran that group—it really seemed like they were the only ones advocating for us and gave us all a reason to persevere,” Blaire shared.

Even with that small support network, Blaire remembers the environment being overwhelmingly hostile. “While at Mt. Si, I met a trans girl who transferred there halfway through the school year and was bullied out within a few months. There was a boy in the class below me who was beaten in the locker room for being gay. I heard heckling and hate speech daily from students—it was a pretty hostile environment for all minority groups. It was clear that there was an Us vs. them mentality in the Valley, so I was careful who I shared my true thoughts and feelings with. Almost all of my queer friends who grew up here (including myself) came out in our late 20s and early 30s because of feeling unsafe in our hometown.”

For Blaire, the 2008 Day of Silence was a turning point. “The 2008 Day of Silence at Mt. Si radicalized me,” she said. “I saw religious boys who preached the gospel at school wear anti-LGBTQ shirts and shove Day of Silence signs in the trash. I witnessed teachers and students I thought I knew and trusted join Ken Hutcherson’s Prayer Warriors and protest in favor of his beliefs. Every queer student and ally felt deep betrayal that day.”

Despite the hostility, the experience reinforced Blaire’s belief that hope persists beyond hatred. She recognized that queer people exist in every community, along with allies who stand beside them. The few teachers at Mount Si who supported LGBTQ+ students, even at personal risk, became role models for Blaire, shaping her vision of the kind of adult she aspired to be: someone who is proud, self-assured, and a source of safety for young people who feel like they don’t belong.

A Changed Valley and a New Mission

Years later, after leaving Snoqualmie, Blaire returned and was shocked by how much had changed. Last summer, Blaire participated in Mount Si High School’s Alumni Choir concert and toured the newly remodeled school.

She was surprised and deeply moved to see numerous rainbow “Safe Space” posters displayed throughout the building—something unimaginable during her time as a student when such signs would have been quickly torn down. The sight brought her to tears, knowing that many students today will never experience the level of intolerance that once defined the area. For Blaire, it was a powerful reminder of the community’s progress.

Recognizing the growing acceptance but remembering the struggles of the past, Blaire set out to create the kind of space she had longed for as a teenager. Nova founded the Queer Open Mic Night at The Black Dog Arts Café, a recurring event that provides LGBTQ+ individuals with a space to express themselves through music, poetry, and storytelling. The event has quickly become a beloved gathering, fostering connection and visibility for LGBTQ+ people in the Valley.

“I wanted to build the kind of support and visibility I never had growing up here,” she explains. “Back then, it was hard to find people who were openly accepting, let alone celebrating queer identities. This event is about making sure no one has to feel that kind of isolation again.”

The community’s response has been incredibly supportive, which was a relief for Blaire, given the environment she grew up in. Initially unsure of how the event would be received, she was met with gratitude from many who expressed appreciation for its impact, not just on her personally, but on the Valley as a whole.

One of the most powerful moments for Blaire was witnessing a young performer take the stage for the first time. “At our show in January, an 11-year-old queer youth who had just learned their first song on guitar played and sang for the first time ever on a stage. Their parents and friends were there, live-streaming to other friends who couldn’t make it. They performed a song I really love that was written by a lesbian songwriter. That moment made all of the work for this event worth it. I’ll never forget how great it felt to see those queer kids just existing, being happy and free with the support of their family.”

Looking to the Future

With the Queer Open Mic Night now a permanent event, Blaire is looking to expand her advocacy. “I’m just getting started with community and event organizing and hope to work with some of the LGBTQ nonprofits in the area to create even more safe spaces and activities for us.”

Nova is also deeply inspired by the memory of her late friend Daniel Aston, a trans man who was passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and tragically lost in the Club Q shooting. “My beautiful friend Daniel Aston is also a huge inspiration for the open mic and my advocacy in general. He was a trans man who was unafraid to be himself and was very passionate about LGBTQ rights. He understood the sacredness of queer spaces and talked about owning his own bar someday. I was able to share his story and some of his poetry at the first Queer Open Mic—I believe he comes to all of them in spirit.”

For queer youth who may feel alone, Blaire emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community, whether in person or online. She stresses that having even one trusted adult who affirms a young person’s identity can significantly reduce the risks of suicide, addiction, and self-harm.

People thrive on connection and understanding at their core, and even in moments of isolation, support is out there. Blaire encourages young individuals to seek safe spaces and allies who will stand by them.

Reflecting on how far the Valley has come, Blaire acknowledges that change was slow but meaningful. “A lot of people who have moved to the Valley from big cities still think it’s not the most accepting place, but I make sure to let them know it’s lightyears ahead of where we came from, and we’re headed in the right direction.”

Through the Queer Open Mic Night and ongoing advocacy, Blaire is ensuring that the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth in the Snoqualmie Valley grows up knowing they are seen, valued, and celebrated.

If you need support with your identity or just someone to talk to, these organizations can help:

• Lambert House – A Seattle-based LGBTQ+ youth community center in Snoqualmie offering resources, support, and social programs. lamberthouse.org
• SnoValley Pride – A local organization fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion and advocacy in the Snoqualmie Valley. snovalleypride.com
• Trail Youth – A nonprofit providing mentorship and a safe space for young people in the Snoqualmie Valley. trailyouth.com

[Feature image by Jas Min on Unsplash]