Open Arms, Open Doors: Spotlighting Queer-Friendly Spaces in Pacific County
BOLD Framing, Art and Espresso
Daneka Ewert, co-owner of BOLD Framing, Art and Espresso in Long Beach, WA, is a proud mom of two queer kids and a fierce supporter of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. PCVU caught up with Daneka to chat about BOLD, Pride, allyship and more. Enjoy!
What kind of space do you want BOLD to be for our community?
A space where everyone knows that they’re seen and that they’re important. LGBTQ+ youth, people of color, Indigenous people, our unhoused community members — literally everyone. This is not just a tolerating place. We don’t tolerate you; we love you and we want you here because your diversity enhances all of us.
What does Pride mean to you?
For me, it’s a celebration of authenticity. It’s about being authentically who you are and understanding that LGBTQ+ people are still fighting for that right. Sometimes it feels like we’re all supposed to be cogs in a well-oiled machine. Outliers can cause a squeak, and oftentimes the system wants to knock those little edges off of people so they fit back into the machinery perfectly. But it’s our uniqueness that makes us beautiful, and I think Pride is a reminder of that.
What do you think being an ally looks like?
I think being an ally is to say, “I’m open.” I’m open to learning; I’m open to you coming in and sharing your experience. I don’t get to impose my experience on anyone. I think straight cisgender White folks have been catered to our entire lives and we’re accustomed to it — to being made “comfortable.” So when there is discomfort, how do you deal with it? Being an ally is learning how to deal with those emotions and really support people in a meaningful way.
What resources have been helpful to you as a parent of queer kids?
One of my all-time favorites is This Book Is Gay; it uses humor to educate in a sweet and fun way. On Facebook, Dragon Moms and Serendipitydodah are great support groups for mothers of queer kids. I also love this group called Stand In Pride, which is for folks who are willing to be there, essentially, as surrogate family members in queer people’s lives. It started when a queer woman posted about her dad refusing to be in her wedding — she was devastated — and a gentleman in the group commented, “I’ll stand in for you. I’ll walk you down the aisle.” And he did! It was so meaningful to her and really enhanced his life, too.
What are you looking forward to this year at Pacific County Pride?
Seeing who shows up and seeing the diversity! I’m hoping it will empower our local queer folks to come out and be who they are, if they can see that there are tons of people supporting them. I’m super excited!
Endless thanks to Daneka for sharing her heart with us! You can visit BOLD for art, coffee and community at 711 Pacific Ave N in Long Beach, WA.