A LETTER FROM JON LARANCE TO BOULEVARD EMPLOYEES

Last week Boulevard wrapped up Pride month festivities at the Tours & Rec Building. Below is an email sent out to employees from colleague, Jon Larance, who was a great leader in our efforts and events throughout the month. Thank you, Jon, for the dedication you gave to ensure Boulevard celebrated the month in a variety of ways!

First, an introduction. For those not familiar with my name and association with the company, I’m Jon Larance. For the last 5+ years I have had the pleasure of being a part-part-part timer on the Tours & Rec team. I opened the building in 2016 as a member of the original Tours & Rec team, and have since entertained guests as both a bartender and bingo host. While my day job pays the mortgage, it’s been the highlight of my personal and professional career to work for this company.

Second, as June and Pride Month celebrations have ended it is only natural to reflect on what we accomplished in June and how we keep the commitment to KC’s LGBTQIA+ community going forward. This has been a passion project of mine for several years and I am honored to share the highlights:

• We raised $10,000 total to be split between Kansas City for Inclusion and SAVE, Inc. Both organizations offer resources and housing to homeless LGBTQIA+ youth in the metro. We sold 330 Pride shirts, 302 crowlers and raised more than $3,500 in tips. We are actively working to make the Pride shirt part of the permanent gift shop collection and continue our partnership with more LGBTQIA+ organizations throughout the year.
• We hosted our first Drag Night on the Rec Deck. This ticketed event featured 4 of KC’s finest Drag Kings and Queens and more than 135 passionate attendees. We are exploring how to make this type of event happen a few times a year.
• We raised our progress pride flag and are updating our welcome sign to be more inclusive to all guests.
• Our sales team connected with local LGBTQIA+ and ally bars like Missie B’s, Hamburger Mary’s, Hi-Dive and others for month-long specials on Neon Rainbows and Quirks, plus they and the Tours & Rec building sported our rainbow tap handles.

I want to recognize the entire Tours & Rec family for making this happen.

On a final and personal note, I would like to acknowledge what Pride at Boulevard has meant to me, which has been to create ongoing opportunities for LGBTQIA+ voices to be seen and feel welcomed. So often, those individuals don’t feel welcome within their families, jobs or even their own communities. The outpouring of love and appreciation from many different voices thanking us for Pride should make everyone proud to work here.

Progress does not come overnight, but we have laid the groundwork for lasting impact with the LGBTQIA+ community. As I often say, we are all deserving of love and beer. 

Thank you again.

Jon Larance