I was watching the West Hollywood Pride Parade last Sunday partially because our Church (see photos here) was in it and mostly because usually it’s just a lot of fun to watch and I was just so excited to see how the Parade would handle IT.
I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t see hardly a mention. An entry devoted to it. NOTHING!!!!!!! It baffled me because this parade should have been about one thing in everybody’s entry.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CAME OUT
IN FAVOR OF
SAME SEX MARRIAGE!!!!
I’ve done LIVE TV!! I was the Assistant Director of Production at the Kodak Theatre for five years - Debates, countless award shows including the freaking OSCARS!!! I know how much planning goes into these things. But when things change in the COUNTRY or for your COMMUNITY change fundamentally forever you REACT!!!!! Do you think American Idol would’ve missed it if the President had said AMERICAN IDOL IS MY FAVORITE SHOW!! I know the folks at American Idol. I’ve worked with them. They didn’t care how hard it was to change. They would have made certain that everyone – Contestants, Judges, Ryan, The songs… EVERYTHING would have been changed to LIFT UP THAT STATEMENT AND REMIND EVERYBODY – Even if they had JUST two days!!! I know most of you Pride Planners for 2012 aren’t professionals and maybe you were unaware but there are a LOT of our community who work in Media Production with their home city being West Hollywood!!!
Okay Okay you didn't have to a make it a big change. It could’ve been something simple perhaps but something that would've recognized the biggest recognition of the LGBT community since Lot offered his virgin daughters instead of the male strangers to the unruly men outside his door. And that wasn't the kind of recognition we are looking for.
No one's upset about Lot offering his daughters to gang rape?
Seriously??
How could the planners of Pride week miss this breathtaking statement from a sitting President? Not some cowardly comment from an EX Vice President with a gay daughter who didn't even recognize her during his term in office. Where were the signs bumping up and down the street with Obama smiling and others stating "NO on 8"???!!! I did see a few of those. But not enough.
You Pride planners missed it!!!! But you’re not alone. A quick Google search reveals that sadly only a few cities are noting this historic moment. They include Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, DC and freaking INDIANAPOLIS!!!! I grew up there. We didn’t even acknowledge the word “gay” until the mid-eighties. You as planners of the fabulous Pride Parade could’ve changed the world. Instead you gave an uninspired and predictable literally halting event.
