Queer Pride 2007

18 Minutes of Pride

This past week Brooklyn celebrated it’s 11th annual Brooklyn Pride Celebration, and while
this flagship for the upcoming Queen Mary of all parade’s, The NYC Heritage of Pride
Parade, offered it usual scaled-down incarnation, at only 18 minutes long, it seemed
disproportionately undersized. We are Brooklyn after all, not Buttfuck Kansas. Before we
start ripping apart the parade like two elderly Aunts deriding the dry chicken at our niece’s
wedding, we must wonder if this diminutive demonstration is symptomatic of a larger
dilemma in Queer Brooklyn.
       Being Manhattan’s little sidekick has been both our blessing and our curse. So much
easier is it to play in our brother’s lush garden than to cultivate our own, that we have a
definite deficit in our Brooklyn-Queer lives. Is it any wonder that we can’t come up with
enough slow-moving floats to fill a half hours time? With a plethora of clubs and bars, and
The LGBT Center a quick trip across the bridge, is a separate presence for Brooklyn in
the pride parades really that important? Probably yes. More importantly though, is why a
borough dubbed fourth largest city in America has such paltry offerings for its GLBT
community.
       Earlier in the day, at the Pride Festival, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
boasted of plans for Brooklyn constructing its own LGBT center at some point in the not
so distant future. Though he was a bit more reticent on when, and from where the funding
would come. Much of the funding for Manhattan’s LGBT Center comes from donations
from the private sector as well as corporate gifts; one wonders if our more diminutive
demographic could support such an undertaking. As anyone who has ever spent even a
moment in a city-run facility can attest too, private sector support would be the more
preferable way to go, lest we wait a half hour simply to be told in what room our interest
group is meeting. However, we don’t fare too well in the corporate donation column either.
       It is nothing less than disgraceful the way we are virtually ignored by the businesses
we support throughout the year. The few willing to sponsor our Pride Day:
Commonwealth, Cattyshack, and the bars Ginger’s, Excelsior’s, and Secrets, are to be
commended and supported by us in return. However, where all the other establishments
who’ve dubbed themselves “gay friendly” are, is anyone’s guess. Their businesses bluster
and their registers ring all year with to the tune of gay green. They advertise in H/X and
Next, and list themselves under the Things to Do sections on our websites, but kick back a
couple of bucks to the community, no thanks. We should return the favor in kind the next
time we exit Excelsior’s in search of another gin mill or a place to eat.
       Given its size, the petite parade still accomplished its primary purpose: to celebrate
Brooklyn’s Gay community. Our flag of freedom decorating the streets, as well as canine
collars and baby carriages, is always a welcome symbol, a sign that you are among
friends. At only 11 years old, our parade is still, if not in its infancy, then at least a pre-
teen. Only by working together can we grow this parade into the brawny Brooklyn parade
it deserves to be. If you would like to volunteer your time into building a stronger gay
community in our town, the Brooklyn Pride’s website address is www.brooklynpride.org.

Over the bridge: Manhattan’s Gay Pride celebration kicks off with a Pride Rally. Held in
Bryant Park (42nd street & Sixth Avenue), the rally will begin at 2:00 PM, on Sunday,
June 17. Emceeing this year’s rally will be “Kick Ass” comedian Julie Goldman, and SIRIUS
Satellite morning host Keith Price.
Pride week will culminate of course, in the birth mother of all Pride Parades - Manhattan’s
Heritage of Pride. Held Sunday, June 24th from 12:00 PM till…whenever. The route will
run from 5th Ave. and 52nd St. to Christopher and Greenwich streets. There will be a
moment of silence to honor those fallen to AIDS at 2:00 PM. Please observe wherever you
are. Have a happy pride.