Archive for June, 2008

Pride before the Parade

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Communicatingpride2

As New Yorkers and visitors from around the world prepare to celebrate Pride this weekend I came across this video on Towleroad produced by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in NYC. It features footage of the very first Pride parade, or march as those who participated rightly call it, on Christopher Street Liberation Day back in 1970 after the Stonewall riots of the previous year.

We talk a lot about the relevance of Pride in today’s world but this excerpt from Dudley Clendinen and Adam Nagourney’s book Out for Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America (again featured on Towleroad) provides a poignant reminder of how important those first marches were and how it’s worth remembering what they were about back then.

"Many of the men and women who marched that day would forever remember that moment on top of the bluff. Before them lay a field of uncut grass, a blizzard of banners, dancing, pot-smoking, singing and music, a huge American flag, ‘gay pride’ signs decorated with the Day-Glo hippie flower stickers, and men and women applauding each new arrival over the hill. And behind them—stretching out as far as they could see—was line after line after line of homosexuals and their supporters, at least fifteen blocks worth, by the count of the New York Times, which found the turnout notable enough to report it on the front page of the next day’s paper. No one had ever seen so many homosexuals in one place before. On top of the bluff, many of these men and women, who had grown up isolated and alone, stood in silence and cried."

I am one of those who has become cynical about whether Pride means much nowadays to most people who take part but this reminds of how much they meant just a few decades ago. It should also focus our attention on the marches (not parades or parties) that are taking place in Eastern Europe and elsewhere where coming out on the streets and being openly gay really does mean something and really does take some courage.

This is a powerful and moving video which shows how much Pride really can mean to those who are involved. It’s an effective communications effort on the part of the LGBT Community Center to provide today’s generation with a timely reminder of how lucky they are and to draw attention to the work of the organization.

For the full 30 minute documentary go to the LGBT Community Center Web site: http://gaycenter.org/out

| June 27th, 2008 No Comments »
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“When I Knew”

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It’s a question we often ask ourselves and others… “When did you know?” It’s never an easy question to answer. For some finding the answer can often bring up some painful memories and for others it is just difficult to pinpoint when and what that meant. I guess for most of us it’s a bit of both. I often look back and wish I could place when I knew for sure but for me it was a gradual thing rather than a Eureka moment!

A new HBO Reel Life documentary “When I Knew” premiered last night on CINEMAX. Inspired by the book of the same name by Robert Trachtenberg, producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato traveled the country to ask more than 150 people in five cities to talk about when they realized they were gay.

As co-director Barbato puts it " ‘When I knew’ is the ‘ah-ha’ moment for gays and lesbians. It’s the moment that many of us realize we are different from our friends and family. Sadly, it can also be the moment we begin to hide and lie about ourselves. It can be a lonely time."

It is a defining moment, or series of moments, that often have a huge influence on how we come to terms with our sexuality and the future direction of our lives.

This documentary film is important for gay audiences to provoke them to look back and examine how this experience affected their own lives. It’s most powerful impact will hopefully to communicate to straight people the pain, suffering, and torment that almost every LGBT individual goes through when growing up and understanding themselves and the need to make sure that they do not always have to go through this alone.

Read more »

| June 26th, 2008 No Comments »
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On the Outs with Sharpton

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“I may have some very conservative personal feelings, but I feel you have the right to live your life differently. I may think that what you do, Anderson, is gonna put you in Hell, but I’m gonna defend your right to get there," said Al Sharpton to CNN host Anderson Cooper last night during a debate about anti-gay rhetoric of James Dobson’s Focus on the Family organization.

The video clip is hitting the gay blogosphere at rapid pace.

While the CNN cameras were on a wide shot of the full in-studio panel and not on Cooper during Sharpton’s comment, Cooper seemed to keep his composure, smiling and ending the segment moments later with this comment to the panelists: "I appreciate both your concerns about my afterlife. I’m personally not all that concerned, but that’s a whole other discussion."

| June 25th, 2008 1 Comment »
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Has Marriage Eclipsed Pride?

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Communicatingpride2I missed DC Pride 2008, so perhaps my perspective is a bit skewed, but Pride Month across the country seems muted this year. Locally, we’ve had the street festivals, parades and other events, and there have been the requisite pictures of shirtless men in the local newspaper, but something’s different. There just doesn’t seem to be the excitement and engagement in Pride this year that I’ve felt in years past.

Has media coverage and attention to California’s legalization of same-sex marriage taken up all of the public’s attention (even ours)? Have photos of beaming couples exchanging their vows and endless stories about George Takei’s impending nuptials so occupied our attention that there’s nothing left for the multiple Pride celebrations taking place across the country?

I think the answer to these questions is yes, at least to a certain degree. There is generally only “space” in the media for one gay-focused story at a time, and the compelling storyline of thousands of gay and lesbian couples getting married is generally more interesting than “another” Pride parade.

As much as I love Pride (and agree with the points Laura made in her post yesterday), I don’t think this turn of events is a bad thing. The media coverage about the advent of same sex marriage in California has been largely positive and definitely helped demonstrate the power of equality and the worth of our lives. In many cases, Pride month is an “excuse” for media to focus on our lives and our impact on society (if only media did that year-round) and the timing of the California marriage decision played nicely into this annual interest in “gay” stories.

With Pride Month wrapping up next week, I think the meaning of Pride is as important as it ever was, even if it’s being communicated in a different way. The LGBT community is a powerful, vibrant part of society. Reminders that we are, in many ways, “just like everyone else” and deserving of the same rights and responsibilities as “everyone else” can only help advance our community’s broader goals. 

My conclusion? Even with a “muted” Pride this year, the power of communications to affect change is alive and well. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the photos of happy couples celebrating a moment in their lives many thought might never come are communicating tens of thousands of positive messages about who we are and why our lives matter. And that is something to be proud of indeed.

| June 24th, 2008 1 Comment »
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Hope for Pride

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Communicating2small_3 “Pride is just a party,” one of my friends said. I felt shocked, ashamed, and disappointed to hear such words escape from someone’s lips. The very statement made me question what was left of Pride, what others felt Pride symbolized, and what it truly meant for me to be a part of the community.

To a point, I can understand my friend’s perspective. Yes, pride is a party — it is a celebration of people — a celebration of diversity, love, and acceptance. After a few too many cups of coffee that lead to a sleepless night of pondering, I came to the conclusion that, for me, pride is hope.

In the Advocate’s June 17 issue, I remember seeing articles of young LGBT dreamers sharing their goals and aspirations. This ever so inspirational feature forced me to stop and subconsciously smile. Yes, obstacles would be in their paths, but sexual orientation no longer was an unmovable wall. Someone once told me that road blocks are simply that — momentary obstacles in time.

In May, Kim’s blog 17, Gay, Coming Out, Homecoming King? struck me as a generational shift in our culture. In the past, we lived in a world of fear. Today, the LGBT community is more visible, evident through traditional media, social media, and numerous niche media. Today, we are working to foster an accepting and supportive environment with youth programs and communities. And today, a young man can be out, open, and run for homecoming king.

Yes, Emmylou, “We’ve come a long way, baby.” And we have many more miles to travel, but we’ll need help along the way. Young Lawrence King is a testament that we need to protect our youth. Key organizations that provide safe spaces, support, and mentors are crucial to the 2.5 million LGBT youth. Thanks to the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN), gay straight alliances across the nation, community LGBT youth centers, corporate supporters and sponsors, support organizations, such as The Trevor Project (highlighted in Eddy’s last blog), and passionate, giving individuals, we are able to foster a more open, respectful, and safer community where all can be ourselves.

For me, Pride is the time to remember all we have accomplished as a community, to see all the work we have ahead, and to celebrate every ounce of you, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identification, age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

| June 23rd, 2008 No Comments »
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