The term Pagan for some connotes darkness and evil. Others may conjure up mental images of tree-hugging hippies.
For a small portion of the population, Pagan is simply an umbrella term similar to Christianity used to describe a group of religions based on love for the Earth and devotion to both the God and Goddess.
“It is easier to say that one is ‘Pagan’ than it is to say that a person is a ‘Druidic reconstructionist’,” Bronwyn Thompson said. Pagan does seem to roll off the tongue easier and there are not as many syllables for people to trip over.
Laramie Pagan Pride Day is planned for Saturday at Washakie Park. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with the opening ritual and offers activities such as a workshop in divination, discussion groups about issues affecting Pagans, and an auction. It is a free community- and family-oriented event designed to promote the understanding of people and religions through education.
LPPD is not just for the Pagan community. Curious non-Pagans also are welcome to attend.
People attending LPPD are asked to bring donations for a selected local organization. “Last year we gathered food donations for Interfaith Good Samaritan,” Thompson said. “This year, Laramie Pagan Pride has decided to collect school supplies for the Laramie Montessori School.”
“This is for the community,” Thompson said, “To allow them to know we are here and that we are just like them.”
In Wyoming, the sparse population means that Pagans can feel isolated, so LPPD is a way for other Pagans to get to know each other. “Religion and spirituality are more fulfilling when we have someone to share it with,” Thompson said. “We feel happier when we have someone who believes like we do and understands that part of us.”
The small population in the state has its advantages for Pagans as well.
“We are closer to the natural world here, which is much more in tune with the teaching of most Pagan religions and philosophies,” Thompson said. “The Earth is much happier here because there are fewer people.”
Planning the LPPD events is a full-time duty. “We start the planning phase the week after the event and plan continuously throughout the year,” Thompson said.
LPPD suffers from the same planning issues of any community event: time, money and help. There is never enough of any of the resources. “Last year we spent entirely too much money, had too little help for what we planned and things just went wrong in some areas,” Thompson said.
“This year we learned from our mistakes and revamped our entire plan. We think this year’s schedule of events will suit our community and resources better.”
