Friday July 21, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 29 |
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Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
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Letters |
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| PRIDE EVENTS IN SEATTLE
Dear SGN, I recently read your great new column by Ron Anders about upcoming or recent DVD releases. [&] Anders new column is a pleasure to read - informative, humorous, and knowledgeable. Not to the point of this e-mail, but I think it would be great if his picture accompanied his column. On another topic, I presume the SGN has received many comments about the Pride Parade being downtown; so, I will add mine. I thought the parade gained nothing by being relocated. The atmosphere of Broadway simply suits the parade better. In addition, I assumed that, given the energy spent to get the parade downtown, it would somehow be a better parade - more elaborate floats, fewer boring entries, no entries which seem to have absolutely no connection whatsoever to the Gay community, etc. It was the same old, same old, but in a larger, more impersonal setting. Back to Broadway, please. I did think the Seattle Center worked well for the after parade festivities (though I still prefer Volunteer Park), so, in my opinion, the committee's efforts were not totally wasted. Thanks for hearing me out. Sincerely, Terry Lehnis Renton, WA Dear SGN, I want to congratulate the organizers of Pride events that took place up on the Hill as well as downtown. I attended events at both locations, which made for a memorable weekend. I was one of many who preferred keeping the parade on Broadway, but I must admit that I liked the roominess and better views along the 4th Ave. route. My main complaints about the downtown parade had little to do with location, however. I was near the start of the parade route, and yet 20 minutes after the starting time the Dykes on Bikes were still in front of us. And throughout the parade there were stretches of two to four blocks long between some of the contingents. With about 180 contingents in the parade, it would be a long parade even without those delays. After three hours - somewhere near contingent 150 - I gave up on the parade, something I have never done at a Pride parade before. I was hot, thirsty, in need of a bathroom, and, well, I guess just plain bored. Entre Hermanos put on their usual fun, sexy show, but beyond that there were few floats or other indications of creativity. Certainly, a lot less than previous years if my photos from past events are any indication. The Torchlight Parade shows more artistic flare. (Of course, perhaps all of the floats were saved for the end of the parade, and I missed them.) But all that was forgotten when I got to the festival at Seattle Center. SOAP did a great job there. The dance at the International Fountain was certainly inspired (and the benefit of sunny skies with record high temperatures), and there was actually plenty of room to check out the booths and enjoy the scene. The cramped conditions in past years at Volunteer Park usually prompted me to leave after very little time spent there. [...] While at the Seattle Center, I knew that there were events going on in some of the buildings, but without a schedule in hand, visible signage would have helped. Finally, in last week's paper, a letter writer complained about the Seafair Pirates being in the parade, writing, "[it] just made me livid. The Seafair Pirates is what the SOAP people think is a great inclusion in a Queer parade?! Can you say SELL OUT?!" A quick check of my parade pictures from the last couple of years shows that the Seafair Pirates were part of the parade in both 2004 and 2005. And perhaps some of the pirates themselve are Queer. Good grief. The parade was downtown. Get over it. Mark Wasson Dear SGN, It was a long time ago when all the Gay bars in Seattle were located in the Pioneer Square area of our beautiful city on Puget Sound. I began hanging out there on my weekends back in the late Sixties after I got out of the Army. It was extremely closeted back then and I was always afraid of being discovered, but it was invigorating to be in this part of town, where I could be accepted for who I was and not be judged on the basis of who I happened to be attracted to. I do not recall the year, but I do remember being in the large, open area where artists now like to display their works on the first Thursdays of each month for the Pioneer Square Art Walk, and being surprised at seeing several, and I do mean several, as in a very few, Gay guys come marching by in a group of probably not more than twenty-five. They were singing and chanting and carrying signs they had made proclaiming our right to be in the community and that we should be accepted as we were. I believe this was the very first Gay pride parade in Seattle and I saw it by chance. I was somewhat shocked at their brash behavior and courage, which I also found liberating. It all passed in just a few moments, but it was a sign of what was to come in the future. Soon after, most of the bars had to close due to gentrification and new ones opened on Capitol Hill. I know for many it seems like it has always been this way, but for me it still seems a bit recent and I still have fond memories of many of the old places in Pioneer Square, like the Mocombo and 614 and Golden Horseshoe, etc. When the parade began on Broadway, it was again exciting and seemed bold. I was again thrilled by the display, if not always pleased with some of the messages. For me the parade has always been a political statement, which I wanted to be even stronger. It is for this reason I constantly felt we belonged marching downtown like the other major parades in Seattle do. I had this desperate feeling of wanting the larger, straight community to see that while we were not always visible to them, we were in fact a large part of our society as a whole. For many years now it has been suggested that the parade should be moved downtown, and finally it has come to pass. I was excited when I first heard that it was in the works, but I never expected it would be controversial. However, it seems it had evolved into a financial cash cow for some businesses on the Hill that were unwilling to give up this rather small reward in exchange for the greater good for our community as a whole. I was both surprised and ashamed at this revelation. Fortunately, the Parade committee persevered and moved ahead with their courageous plan and the parade has finally moved downtown where it always belonged. Not only that, but it is now ending at the Seattle Center for a far more spectacular celebration that now presents itself to a far more extensive audience. It has been a smashing success! Let's all now get behind this great achievement and make it the largest parade in Seattle. Only good can come of this. Sincerely, Mark R. Scott Dear SGN, A note of thanks and congratulations to "Mom" Mark Findley for the fabulous emcee job and display for this years Gay Pride Parade! Thanks UPN for including him in the format! Mark's unique grace and charm gave intelligence and wit to the festivities downtown Sunday! I want to thank him personally, although we live a block away, and so I chose to applaud him through your fine publication! Thanks again Mark and sponsors (Starbucks, Alaska Airlines to name a few&) you displayed just the right dose of glam, funk and cheer to our noble city! I did attend the parade. The arieal shots gave new perspective to what can only be hailed as a huge success and nice change of pace. Sincerely, Mark Holman P.S. Happy 29th Birthday "Mom"! Dear SGN, On Sunday of the recent Pride Week activities there was a touching situation that left me in tears and gave me a sense of Pride that I shall long remember. In the early afternoon, I first noticed this elderly gentleman with a walker slowly going towards the CUFF area. He wore shorts, a bright colored shirt, and festive jewelry. Perhaps the many other celebrants didn't notice him, but he taught me a hell of a lot by his desire to still be a part of our Gay world. When he slowly departed to a local restaurant late in the afternoon, I stood there and cried like a baby knowing that even with his difficulty in motor skills he was able to show that his inner light was still alive and shining. I wish...I had the opportunity to meet him personally, which didn't happen. On the other hand, he gave me much to think about and the importance of Pride individually. He not only made my day, but was there to display his own sense of Pride. Thank you seems so little for so much. Sincerely, Buzz Flowers Dear SGN, I have wanted to sit down and write this letter for some time, so now is the time to do it. After seeing most of the papers you've put out up until Pride. I have to say I'm really disappointed in the fact which appears that your paper has done nothing but try and railroad the new plans for Pride and the Parade for being off the Hill. Little if no coverage, BIG coverage for all the events planned on Broadway and more coverage in the last issue on Pride Parades everywhere else, rather then what was planned downtown and at the Seattle Center. I applaud the foresight that SOAP has to make Pride in Seattle a bigger and better event for all involved. The Hill and the park could not contain the amount of people coming to see and spend time in Seattle for it's Pride weekend. I wish everyone would stop their whining and see this as a great thing. Since I moved to Seattle Several years ago, I have noticed that there is always so much resistance to change[...]. I can understand the concerns of the businesses on the Hill, but if we grow this event to a much larger event -- as in other major cities -- it will bring in more people from all over the U.S. as well as other countries to spend their time and money not only downtown, but up on the Hill where the community spends it's time; in the bars and businesses. I for one -- as well as many I have talked with -- saw this years event [as] a HUGE success. The Seattle Center looked very impressive with the way it was set up and -- for once -- you had room to sit and talk and enjoy yourself and not feel crammed into a small space. The Parade route was also more enjoyable with room to be able to see the parade instead of being rows behind peoples heads trying to grab a look. It's about time the Gay Community had more vision to the future and I commend the SOAP Committee and volunteers for a job WELL DONE! I would hope you as the paper for the community would be a little more supportive and not pressured by you area advertisers and businesses to squash a good thing for Seattle. Sincerely, Paul Hanchette SPACE NEEDLE CORP. WRONG TO NOT FLY RAINBOW FLAG [Editor's Note: The following is a letter Geoff Hamada sent to the President and the CEO of The Space Needle Corporation on June 27.] I trust by now you have seen the statistics on this past weekend's Gay Pride Festival at the Seattle Center. An estimated 150,000 people were in attendance at one of the most joyous, celebratory Gay Pride festivals ever held in Seattle. But it was glaringly clear that one major component was missing from the festivities: a Gay Pride flag flying proudly from the Space Needle. Your company's refusal - and pathetic excuses - were a huge mistake, especially given the prominent signage and multiple Gay Pride flags displayed throughout Seattle Center for this historic event. Is your company unaware that LGBT people are not only an integral part of Seattle life, but a sizeable part of the population? Attendance at the Festival should be proof enough of that claim. But it is more than a numbers game. This was a major cultural, social and political event in the life of our city, one deserving the same consideration as the other organizations for which you have agreed to fly flags. Given the unprecedented success of this year's Gay Pride Festival at Seattle Center, you need to give serious reconsideration to this matter. The Space Needle is the internationally-recognized symbol of Seattle, beloved by locals and visitors alike. There is simply no substitute for the sight of a Gay Pride flag flying gloriously above the Needle. The omission was blatant, much remarked upon, and completely egregious. The Space Needle Corporation should be ashamed of its cowardice and duplicity. Seattle's LGBT citizens deserve the same consideration as its football fans, Seafair pirates, etc. I would suggest you check out the Proclamations issued by Mayor Nickels and Governor Gregoire [...] designating June 2006 as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month" in Seattle and Washington State respectively. At the very least, you owe the LGBT community a public apology, as well as a firm commitment to fly the Gay Pride flag from the Space Needle during all future Gay Pride festivals held at Seattle Center. You also owe an apology to all Seattle citizens for your failure to honorably represent our city as the inclusive and affirming community it strives to be. You definitely need to increase your community awareness, reevaluate your priorities, and find a new willingness to participate in the full life of our wonderful city. Geoff Hamada Seattle, WA SEATTLE WEEKLY WRITER WRONG TO CALL FOR END TO PRIDE PARADES [Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to the Editor of the Seattle Weekly} Roger Downey calls for the end of Pride parades and, instead, accomplish[ing] something we can be proud of (Seattle Weekly, June 21). Where has he been all these years? Our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered community has accomplished a series of stunning victories exactly through the day to day hard work that Downey calls for. 1. We fought and won the huge battle against isolation and invisibility. From the Stonewall riots of 1969 to Brokeback Mountain to each Queer individual's personal coming out, we have shattered our closeted prisons and taken our equal and rightful place on the stage of everyday living. 2. We fought and won the huge battle against AIDS. Far from being a Gay disease, we were the front line soldiers, taking the first and heaviest casualties in what would finally be acknowledged as everyone's pandemic. We rose to the occasion and showed how a people could come together, in spite of ignorance and hate, against this deadly enemy and we continue to work for a cure. 3. We fought and largely won the huge battle against bigotry and scapegoating. The shrill outrage of fundamentalist preachers and right wing opportunists is losing its power as corporations and states, the media and the public, begin to see it for the empty prejudice that it is. 4. We fought and are winning the huge battle for our loves and our kids. Recognition of our relationships has blossomed into full legal marriage in Holland, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and Massachusetts. Most corporations now include our partners in their benefits packages. We have much yet to accomplish. We have many organizations and volunteers working hard, day by day, court by court, family by family, to win our equal place in the world. We have every reason to be proud. That's worth a parade! Sincerely, Janice Van Cleve Seattle, WA |
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