Austin Has a Queer Bomb
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That liberal bastion in Texas is going through some growing pains when it comes to their Queer citizens and this year’s pride.
Tags: AGLCC, AGLPF, austin, controversy, pride, queer, QueerBomb, texas
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Comments
Am I mistaken or was the “theme” for 2009 Pride Parade was “peace”?
I mightily perturbed by the “keep it in good taste” request, but I have to point out that Pride celebrations are very expensive and cannot happen without lots of money. Criticizing the business elements is pointless, you cannot have a big celebration without business sponsorship unless a miracel occurs and you get the State or City to pay for port-a-potties, security,electricity, staging, lights, street closures, police and fire presence and all the behind the scenes stuff that is needed.
I challenge the people who are very rightly pissed about the seeming lack of inclusion to do two things:
1. Attend the event and jump into the parade in whatever fabulous authentic version of themselves must manifest as an act of civil disobedience.
2. Join the planning organization a let your voices be heard where they matter – at the point where decisions are made! I have found that very few planning groups are actually as exclusive as many people think they are. Most are HUNGRY for any enthusiastic participation, anyone who will take real responsibility for executing ideas. Organizations cannot know how to respond to your desires and needs if you do not participate at the point of idea generation.
Curtis: I totes LOVE your suggestion to jump into the parade. How did you get access to my fantasies re: guerrilla protest? You’re a gem for that. And I also agree with number two as well, however in this specific case there are several members of the board who have been vocal (in word and action) regarding the unimportance of Bs, Ts, Is and Qs here. Every event has a cost – The “Mind your Ts and Qs” by Ricky Hill gets to this point – putting costs at fifteen bucks to attend a meeting is absurd. It takes a special kind of queer to run into that fire, but I agree that there should be a sea change (from within). Also worth noting that the incommensurate protest is a form of challenging and changing. So maybe a change from outside would do the Austin body good too! XO
Let’s not forget: The Stonewall Riots were started by Drag Queens _of_ _color_ in NYC who got so sick and tired of being, “polite,” and taking all of the abuse heaped on them, that the finally stood up for themselves and fough back.
If it weren’t for those trans-folk in 1969, those Gay-A-Listers in Austin would all be in sham-hetero-marriages, sneaking off for sex in public restrooms. Just like all of the “family-friendly” gays had to back before 1969.
@Curtis…. normally I would wholeheartedly agree with your statement about getting involved… but in this case, several board members of the organization were either asked to step down or forcibly removed when they did not agree with changes being made between the 2009 and 2010 celebrations. Additionally, other organizations attempted to get involved in the planning stages and were told that their assistance was not needed.
99% of the time, the people complaining about these kinds of things are just sitting on the sidelines throwing tomatoes at those willing to take responsibility. It just wasn’t the case this time.