SGN Page 12

Well always have Paris

Well always have Paris
by Karel Its Pride season. I know, because Ive been getting a lot of interview requests. You see, Im one of the few that will go on record and state that Pride events arent very prideful things, and the activities that go on in abundance actually hurt us more than help. Ive been taken to task for this many times publicly, and thats fine, thats what debate is all about. One of the most common questions is if you dont go any more, how do you know whats going on with them? Two words: Paris Hilton. Today, in my inbox, I found a press release that reads as follows: Paris Hilton, Mom To Grand Marshal Parade By Rosanna Mah EScene Staff Writer Paris and Kathy Hilton have been named grand marshals for the 35th Annual Los Angeles Gay Pride celebrations to be held in West Hollywood, festival organizers announced last week. They are a very public mother and daughter team, and they know what it is like to be different, or what it is like when people dont understand who they are, said Rodney Scott, board president of the Christopher Street West, parade and festival organizer. We are so thrilled and excited to have them as our grand marshals. The first thing that pops in to mind is, are there no Gay people that could possible grand marshal our own parade? There, on Pride day in Los Angeles, the Grand Marshal will be heralded down the street and its... Paris Hilton? According to Scott, Paris and her mom know what its like to be different and misunderstood. Forgive me here, I dont normally do this, but cry me a fuckin river. We all should be so misunderstood. Paris can reportedly get six figures, six figures for a 20 minute appearance at a party. Shes an heiress, always had money, always will. I wont go in to how her celebrity denotes so much of whats wrong with the value system in this country, but lets just say shes not the role model Id want for my child. Or my community. She is whiney, self-indulgent, self-absorbed, talentless and her only claim to fame is that shes a party girl. Wait, maybe shes the perfect role model for Gay pride. Thats it. Thank you Los Angeles Gay Pride. Youve finally proven my point, shown me and the world what the festival truly represents: a representation of excess, of all that is bad, intense concentration on the material (how one looks, dresses, how much money they have), idolization of the superficial and denial that there are any real outstanding Gay people to promote. Paris and her mom are Grand Marshals. According the L.A. Gay Pride website Headline Performers are Tiffany, Deborah Harry, Deborah Gibson and India. Now, I dont know about India, but I havent heard about the other three coming out recently. Sure, theres Gay people nestled among Evelyn King, CeCe Penniston (a devout, Bible bumping Christian), Charlene and Becky Baeling, but the big pictures, the big press releases, the people with Grand in front of their names, and no doubt those being paid the most, theyre straight! (said a la Tony the Tiger). I have nothing against Paris and her mom, and its true, they might have faced adversity. But I find it hard to feel that they can relate to, oh, I dont know, being beaten and tied to a fence post for being so different. In a time where the richest one percent of the nation, i.e, them, get tax breaks, most of us struggle to pay more for less, Gay or straight. While shes over here waving to the nice homos, women her age are risking their lives in Iraq. Some of them Gay, forced to serve silently for being different. Sure, Paris can relate. What a disaster this has all become. Its really quite sad. But no one will really care. People will run to wave at Paris. Theyll flex their pecks and perhaps dance about it some beads. Theyll critique what shes wearing. It will all be so special. And so terribly, terribly sad. There are Gay pioneers out there that deserve to Grand Marshal the Gay pride parade, in every sense: celebrity grand marshal, community grand marshal, every single grand marshal period. Let Paris show up at one of our parties if she wants to show support, wait, that will cost us $200k. Plus, whos going to want to clean up the vomit? Thanks L.A., for reminding me why the battle is still so hard - misplaced priorities. Thanks for reminding me why is still illegal to marry in more states than legal, why even domestic partnerships are even in danger. Thanks for reminding me of why so many of my community are struggling with addictions to things like alcohol and crystal meth, you know, party drugs. Party, party, party, like with Paris. Thanks for reminding me its all just one big party with no point or mission whatsoever. Have fun with your 80s icons and millennium mistresses. Come up with a catchy slogan like How Do You Wear Your Pride? and think youve done something great. How do I wear my pride? On the outside. Im Gay, every day. And I have pride in many things, and many people, in my community. Unfortunately, Paris and her mom dont pop in to my mind when I think of that list. Come to think of it, neither do these events, and now the reasons are even more clear. Do we need the support of the Hilton Corporation? Sure, powerful allies are great. But if we have to idolize one of their offspring to do it, then its really not worth it. Especially when the idol has become all too American, and all too Gay. Well, at least Gay men have proven they are, in fact, equal to their straight counterparts. All it takes to get their attention is a dizzy blonde with breasts. Im so proud. Karel is the host of the #1 rated talk show in San Francisco Saturday and Sunday 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. on KGO AM 810, available online at www.kgo.com. He is also a columnist for Advocate.com, In Magazine L.A. and other outlets and can be found as a guest on many cable news shows. He can be reached at his website at www.karelchannel.com or by emailing comments@karelchannel.com.