The Summer Of Pride Divide Part II!

The Saga Continues

 Part II: The Summer of Pride Divide!

By Nevin Jefferson

 

This was a "Hurray for us, screw you Gay Pride Parade" complete with it being "We Want It Our Way". This was a summer of Pride Divide with an ours and theirs Gay Pride Parade. In an era of political correctness, the G Word was dropped with Queer Fest and Seattle Pride being marched on two different days. Recently, Queer Fest was Saga-tized. This week the Saga Continues& with Out and Proud Seattle Pride.


Eureka! A Gay Pride Parade down 4th Street to the Seattle Center, which was televised on Channel 11 for all to see: a celebration of Pride, diversity, and unity! The televised edition -- minus the "G Word" -- featured our very own Ma Finley hosting the Seattle Pride Parade. A gay first, WOW! It gets even better gang, the Queer community finally cleaned up their act! Amen and Halleluiah to that Brothers Sisters! All of the participating contingences in the parade who marched down the street were a class act; proud of whom they were.

The Bra Show featuring fried eggs, lobster claws, and various creative simple bra designs -- all for the cause of Breast Cancer research was done in style, class, and taste. The biggest blemish was the man wearing a thong who had no business wearing a thong. There are some things that need to be left on the back porch, not on the front porch for all to see. The photographers and news crews were heart broken when they discovered that their lenses failed to focus on bare asses, leather boys wearing collars --complete with leashes -- being walked like dogs, follow the bouncing tits shots, and other images that depreciate from our gay value of true self. Gone were the long-lasting wrong impressions that leave on the minds of John and Jane Q. Public.


Gone at long last were the negative images that develop into the ammunition for the religious-wrong who display these pictures as their rendition of the gay life style that's despicable and deplorable. Gone from the foyers and hallways of the hate cults gathering halls will be the outlandish and pathetic pictures from the Gay Pride Parade posted on the bulletin boards underneath a banner that reads: "Homosexuals Burn In Hell!" Pictures of All-America, everyday people who look like the boy or girl next door, co-worker, or the ones sitting in the pews next to or across from them in church don't belong under this banner. In actuality, we're the Queer next door who all hail from Gay-America and fly the rainbow flag instead of the America flag.


The photographers and news crew had to settle for positive images of the festivity of those marching in the parade or celebrating nearby: the crowds, children, and yours truly (holding a basket filled with condoms and lube). I marched with Chicken Soup, a program of Lifelong Aids Alliance. Their theme was "STOP IT!". The T-shirts worn by 100-plus strong contingent had a big "Stop" sign with the Lifelong Aids Alliance logo surrounded in black. The text read: STOP! STDS, AIDS, HIV, SEXISM, DENIAL, HOMOPHOBIA, DISCRIMINATION, RACISM, PREJUDICE, ISOLATION, ASSUMING, JUDGEMENT, TRANSPHOBIA, STIGMA, and HATRED. We chanted "STOP AIDS NOW," as they quickly cut to commercials. The rest of the contingence ended up on the editing room floor.


Miss Intermission who rolled behind us in a bike-mobile with candy for the kids ended up in a pile of film next to Chicken Soup's snip-takes. I guess that showing it in public is one thing, but saying it out loud is another. Whatever happened to "Silence = Death?" Depending on their lineup position. I usually have the option of marching with the Seattle Gay News, which is celebrating 33 years. But, not this year.


Freedom of speech means having the freedom to speak out against or for all causes, organizations, and things that concerns the gay community. This is a time for everyone to pull together for a celebration of who and what we truly are. If Blacks , Native American Indians, Asians, Hispanics, and other races pull together as one in perfect peace and harmony while fighting oppression, so can the Gay Community.


It was awkward at first to pass out greetings and condoms to a mixed crowd of an estimated 200,00 Gay Pride cheerers and well wishers from both sides of the tracks. It felt good to have love, support, and acceptance from our heterosexual friends. It felt absolutely marvelous to see more Blacks cheering in the crowds -- as well as participating in the Parade. It was a coming of age for the of the Gay Pride Parade that included not only local businesses, but major national and international corporations from Starbucks to Wells Fargo. With Wells Fargo marching out its trademark horse-drawn stagecoach, trailed by dozens of employees in T-shirts reading "Got Diversity?" Not to mention a gentleman shoving up the duties from the horses who got a round of applause from the crowd and those in the parade.

It was a welcoming and joyous feeling to be at the Seattle Center where the rally was held and to see the booths stocked with souvenirs and keepsakes from the organizations and businesses. It was hotter that hot for the estimated 40,000 Seattleites, many of whom jumped into the fountain to keep cool. Seattle Pride got the media seal of approval as one of the summer events to look forward to -- along with the Fremont Fair and Sea Fair. What no Queer-Fest?


It's one for ALL, not some for others on a day that should be a major celebration for the Queer community as a whole. Next year, let's go with the week of activities, events, and pre-parties for the diverse interests of all parties involved. That means one parade as the grand finale. It should also honor and celebrate those who stand up and fight for the rights of the Queer community and those who help make it a better place.

The Saga Continues&. Seattle Black Pride makes a strong and proud appearance in the Gay Community.