Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Jamiel.
Greg, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really begins with a love of storytelling and a deep belief that art and community can change how safe people feel in the world.
For most of my career, I worked as an Art Director in television and creative production, telling stories on a national scale. I was incredibly fortunate to do work that earned recognition and awards, but over time I started to feel a pull toward something more local, more personal. I wanted my creativity to serve people I could actually stand beside and to build something that made a tangible difference in everyday life.
When I moved to the Snoqualmie Valley, I found beauty everywhere: the river, the forests, the farms, the quiet strength of small-town life. But I also noticed something missing. For queer folks, especially in rural communities, visibility and safety aren’t always guaranteed. There weren’t many spaces where 2SLGBTQ+ people could gather openly, celebrate joy, or simply exist without fear or explanation.
Snovalley Pride was born from that realization, and from a simple question: What if we created the space we wish had always existed?
What started as a small, hopeful idea quickly became a community effort. Events like the Pride Picnic, Sparkle Party, and Kindness Campfires weren’t just celebrations; they were acts of care. They said, “You belong here. Your life matters here.” Over time, Snovalley Pride grew into something much larger than me, it has become a well-loved nonprofit shaped by volunteers, artists, families, youth, elders, and allies who all believe that kindness and visibility can coexist with rural life.
Today, Snovalley Pride is about more than events. It’s about healing, art, mental wellness, and building bridges between neighbors, generations, and identities. It’s about choosing joy as a form of resistance and making the Snoqualmie Valley safer and more welcoming for the people who live here now, and for those who will grow up here after us.
I didn’t set out to start a nonprofit. I set out to tell honest stories and help people feel less alone. Snovalley Pride is what happened when the community said, “We’re in. Let’s build this together.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and in many ways, I wouldn’t expect it to be.
Anytime you work to create visibility, safety, and joy for marginalized communities, especially in a rural setting, you’re going to encounter resistance. Some of the struggles were logistical: learning how to build a nonprofit from the ground up, navigating funding, permits, insurance, and the sheer amount of behind-the-scenes work it takes to host free and accessible events. There were moments where the weight of responsibility felt heavy, especially knowing how much our community was counting on us.
Other challenges were more emotional. There were times when simply existing openly as a queer organization sparked pushback or misunderstanding. That can be exhausting… not just for me, but for our volunteers, artists, and community members who show up with vulnerability and hope. You quickly learn that creating safe spaces also means being prepared to protect them.
What carried us through those moments was community. Every challenge seemed to be met with someone stepping forward, an ally offering support, a volunteer raising their hand, an artist lending their voice, a parent saying, “My kid needed this.” Those moments reminded us why we started in the first place.
I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, adapting, and staying rooted in your values. We’ve grown stronger by learning from missteps, setting clearer boundaries, and choosing collaboration over burnout.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful. Every challenge has reinforced that this work matters, that visibility matters, and that building something loving and resilient in a rural community is worth every hard moment along the way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Snovalley Pride is a 2SLGBTQ+ nonprofit based in the Snoqualmie Valley, and at its core, we exist to make people feel safe, seen, and connected.
What we do is create spaces where queer people and our allies can gather in joy, creativity, and care. That shows up through free and low-cost community events like our Pride Picnic, Sparkle Party, movie nights, drag shows, guided meditations, and art-centered gatherings. We also work closely with local businesses and organizations to build safer, more inclusive environments throughout the Valley.
What we are known for is doing this work in a way that feels warm, human, and deeply local. Our events are intentionally accessible and welcoming to people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. We focus on art, music, storytelling, and nature because those are universal languages that help people connect beyond labels or politics. We believe joy is not a distraction from the work. It is the work.
What sets us apart is that we are not trying to replicate a big city Pride model. We are building something that fits rural life and honors the culture of this place. We lead with kindness, collaboration, and relationship-building. Many of our events are free, have sliding scale ticketing, and designed to remove barriers so people can simply show up as they are. We care just as much about mental wellness, healing, and belonging as we do about celebration.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Snovalley Pride feels genuine. Our visual identity, our tone, and our programming all reflect the same values: nature, warmth, hope, creativity, and a touch of vintage 70’s and 80’s love. When someone attends an event or interacts with us online, they feel that consistency. They feel that this organization was built with intention and love.
What I want people to know most is that Snovalley Pride is more than a calendar of events. We are a community-driven effort to make the Snoqualmie Valley safer and more joyful for queer people now and for generations to come. Everything we offer is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to belong where they live, and that kindness and visibility can coexist beautifully in rural spaces.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
We pull inspiration from so many places. From art, nature, music, community gatherings, and the everyday moments of connection we see happening around the Snoqualmie Valley. Inspiration shows up in conversations with neighbors, in the river and forests, in shared meals, and in the way people care for one another here. We try to stay open and curious, letting creativity come from lived experience rather than any single source.
One of the things I am most proud of is that this inspiration has taken shape in very tangible, creative ways. I wrote and designed a children’s book called ‘Uni’s Quest for Kindness’, which stars our mascot, Uni the Unicorn. In the story, Uni travels through the Snoqualmie Valley, meeting new friends and learning how kindness, care for one another, and respect for the land are deeply connected.
The themes in the book reflect the heart of Snovalley Pride. Belonging. Curiosity. Compassion. Love for the place we call home. It is written for children, but the message resonates with everyone who lives in or visits the Valley. Kindness is something we practice with each other and with the land we share.
That book, like our events and programs, is an extension of our values. It reflects how we approach our work as a whole. Leading with creativity, centering connection, and telling stories that help people feel seen and welcome right where they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://snovalleypride.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snovalleypride/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snovalleypride
