SUMMER ISSUE 2026:
June 24, 2026
Pride Isn’t Something Lived in One Month or One Season, It Is Lived For a Lifetime
Across the Denver Metro Area, throughout Colorado, and America, Pride is not confined to a single weekend or month—it is a lifetime of celebration, visibility, community, and resilience.
By William Cameron
All summer long and beyond, communities large and small are gathering to honor who we are, where we have been, and where we are going. Wherever Pride takes you this season, Metromodeis here to keep you in the know with the events, stories, and information that matter most.
But this issue is about much more than celebrations. In this issue, we explore promising developments in brain health, including emerging research into Cypin protein and what it may mean for future treatments and prevention. This subject is particularly important for LGBTQ+ communities, as studies suggest we face higher risks of dementia and cognitive decline. Knowledge is power, and hope remains an essential ingredient in scientific progress.
Closer to home, we examine the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision striking down Colorado’s conversion therapy ban and the swift actions Governor Jared Polis is taking to safeguard vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. At a time when many hard-won rights face renewed challenges, vigilance and advocacy remain indispensable.
Cypin Protein Image: Neuroscience News, Image of Dean Withers Courtesy of Dean Withers -Photo by Michael Noble Jr, Catherine Beeson Image Courtesy of Catherine Beeson -Photo by Amanda Tipton
This issue also introduces readers to remarkable individuals shaping culture and conversation. We profile Dean Withers, the young liberal podcaster whose sharp intellect and millions of followers have made him one of the most recognizable voices of his generation. We sit down with Doug Parsons, owner of White Peacock in Cherry Creek, to discuss intentional living and the philosophy behind creating spaces that inspire authenticity and joy. We also speak with Catherine Beeson, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and Assistant Principal Viola of the Colorado Symphony, who enriches audiences both on stage and as the Symphony’s Prelude pre-show lecturer.
Our Features section tackles multiple subjects that demand attention. We investigate how the MAHA movement, championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aligned with Trump-era policies, spreads conspiracy theories, attacks scientific institutions, and threatens evidence-based healthcare with consequences that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ Americans. We journey into the natural world—from penguins and bonobos to bees—to discover how nature itself challenges rigid assumptions about gender, sexuality, and social structure. We also take a candid look at several notorious LGBTQ+ figures in history, reminding us that representation itself does not determine virtue and that humanity, in all its complexity, transcends easy labels.
Lord Byron Image by Richard Westall, Liam Horch Image by William Bolling
In FM, our style and fashion section, we celebrate creativity and self-expression with conversations featuring Metromode’s photographer Will Bolling of Will’s Camera and legendary stylist Matthew Morris. We also present an expansive fashion portfolio starring model Liam Horch, whose generation increasingly rejects rigid categories in favor of identities built through texture, silhouette, confidence, and individuality.
As we celebrate Pride, we also celebrate progress. The LGBTQ+ community has transformed society through courage, creativity, advocacy, and an unwavering insistence on dignity and equality. Though challenges remain, our history proves that visibility matters, love matters, and community matters.
Be strong. Be hopeful. Be unapologetically yourself. And above all, be proud of who you are. Happy Pride from all of us at Metromode Magazine.
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About the author
With a 25-year background in print advertising sales and publishing, a love for art and design, and steadfast determination, William has helped develop and execute the successful launch of three publications over his career; METROMODE being his own. As the Creative Director, he sets the brand's vision and leads a talented team of writers while bringing his creative abilities (16-years in graphic design) to designing each issue.