A Week of Rainbows
Having graduated from a catholic high school, I find it interesting that Pride is the deadliest of sins while also being an awesome show of self-affirmation among a subculture. Yes, I’m speakin’ about them gays.
Next week is Fayetteville’s Pride week, and from what I gather, it’ll be quite the week of self-expression among lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered and their allies. I shouldn’t be the first one to mention it’s extremely difficult for those groups to work together. There are different priorities in each circle, but setting aside differences is exactly what Pride’s about. We are all unique and we should celebrate ourselves. Yes, “we” is inclusive to the non-LGBT community as well.
Several organizations and business, including the Flyer, have sponsored the events of the week. Organizations are running different programs, and it’ll be a great opportunity for the community to better understand the plight of the homosexual. Yeah, I said it. It has a nice ring.
Starting Sunday, events will kick off Pride week leading up to the Saturday Parade on Dickson Street.
The pride week schedule of events is posted at pride.nwacenterforequality.org, a site hosted by the NWA Center for Equality. Parade information can by found at nwapride.org. NWA Pride is specifically handling the parade.
Here’s a short rundown of the events:
Sunday, June 21
11:00 AM “Celebrating Our Diversity” luncheon at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. (hosted by UUFF and Interweave)
Friday, June 26
7:00 PM “For the Bible Tells Me So” screening and Q&A (hosted by the Walmart Pride Associate Resource Group and the NWA Center for Equality)
Saturday, June 27
8:00 AM 5K FunRun on the Skull Creek Trail (hosted by the NWA Center for Equality)
10:00 AM Pride Parade on Dickson (hosted by NWA Pride)
11:00 AM Pride Picnic at Agri Park on Garland (hosted by the NWA Center for Equality)
7:30 PM Salon Theater at Tymythy’s Salon, the host
Sunday, June 28
1:00 PM Tea Dance at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville (hosted by the NWA Center for Equality and Interweave)
Monday, June 29
6:00 PM Gay History Feature Show on KXUA 88.3 FM (hosted by Jon Cox)
Photo by aprilzosia via Flickr and Creative Commons 2.0
Comments
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Total Bastard
June 19, 2009
Good for the gays.
John Smith
June 20, 2009
While I applaud and appreciate the promotion of this very valuable and worthwhile lineup of events, and of this (or any) campaign for equality, I also find myself wincing a bit at the chosen turns of phrase spewed forth by the writer in his introduction: first, the reference to pride as “the deadliest of sins” (I know, the context was irony, but still it immediately opens the piece up with a negative feel, not really the best fit for the subject matter at hand, at least not from this particular proud person’s point of view); second, the use of the term “subculture” (another negative-leaning choice of words, granted albeit arguably a valid option by actual definition…but there are other choices if only the writer would refer to his thesaurus – perhaps “social group” would have been a better option –”subculture” just has a seedy feel to it); third, “them gays” (really?); fourth, the comment about the L’s, G’s, B’s and T’s having “extreme difficulty working together” (air some dirty laundry, anyone?); and fifth, “the plight of the homosexual” (such dramatic effect here – poor, poor us – while the challenges facing this social group could/can indeed be defined as a “plight” by raw definition, I think there are better ways of putting it in print, especially in a promotional context such as this). That all said, I sincerely and genuinely doubt the writer intended to make his readers wince, or to present the subject matter in a negative (or even quasi-negative) manner, but I do think more proper thought and sensitivities could have been employed when crafting his text. When dealing with communications regarding any politically sensitive topic or group, especially when the intention is to support and positively promote said topic and group, perhaps it is best to dispense with, that is, to forgo, any references to sins, subcultures, dirty laundry and plights. As for “them gays,” that’s just not PC. Thanks to the Fayetteville Flyer for sponsoring these groups and activities, though, and for being the best damn blog site in town!
burgerboy
June 21, 2009
Any reports from the pride parade and activities?
burgerboy
June 21, 2009
My bad, its just starting today. I thought the pride stuff was this weekend.
mel5545
June 22, 2009
Great, fun write up on pride week. I’m glad Fayetteville Flyer is a sponsor!
Schleuss
June 22, 2009
@John Thanks for your feedback. I didn’t mean to be over-insensitive. May it be known that I am a gay man and meant no disrespect.
David Franks
June 22, 2009
John Smith– Although I am not particularly invested in the subject, it is one that interests me. I was able to come away from this article without any of the negative impressions that concern you. The mention of pride as the deadliest sin also makes the point that homosexuality is not the deadliest sin, and points a finger at the pride inherent to religious zealotry. “Them gays” says more about people who say “them gays” than it does about gay people; perhaps it would have suited you better had it been in quotation marks. The revelation that the segments of the LGBT community are not necessarily cohesive helps to dispel the notion that the community is monolithic, with that evil “gay agenda” we hear about all the time.
The use of “plight” is indeed a cliche, but your own musings about “plight” and “subculture” show the problem with selecting alternatives. The article is already a mash-up of promotional, informative, and editorial writing. Adding academic jargon to it wouldn’t be an improvement. In the meantime, the article conveys the valuable message that a large segment of the sexuality spectrum (Wow– sexuality is a rainbow!) is so marginalized and demonized that it remains a subculture with a plight.
bryce
June 22, 2009
@John Smith – The second The Fayetteville Flyer concerns itself with being “PC”, I’ll stop reading. The funny, off color stuff is what keeps most of us coming back to the site. I’m sure KNWA has plenty of “PC” *yawn* stuff on their website for those easily offended.
Anthony Clark
June 22, 2009
Having the pleasure of knowing Jon Schleuss and an understanding of his personality, I didn’t think twice about the language Mr. Smith points out. I was just delighted for Pride Week to have the coverage :) However, re-reading it with new lenses, I can understand how someone like Mr. Smith might interpret the piece in a less than desirable light – particularly since the author’s sexual orientation isn’t determinable in the article. Perhaps it’s just a reminder that there are people out there that are working really hard to advance equality who take it very seriously – and we need those folks. For those of us who can easily joke about it while still “fighting the fight” we’ll keep doing our thing too. Have a Happy Pride.
Total Bastard
June 22, 2009
Them gays is so sensitive.
John Smith
June 22, 2009
Very good points all around, especially yours David (touché) and Anthony. And, thanks for the comment too Jon. While I emphatically embrace off color banter — the more sarcastic the better in fact in most instances — I guess I just tend to be more sensitive (yes TB, sensitive) to how equality issues and campaigns (“gay issues”) are communicated to the masses locally (a little different than in a group of gay friends or a column in the Advocate). It isn’t that I’m personally offended, I just want the organizations and issues involved to come across in the most positive light possible. Moreover, I want these issues to have the support of those who are not gay or otherwise personally touched by the issues and challenges facing this social group – we need them, too. Not saying that the piece at hand had the opposite effect… In fact, I’m sure the promotional value pros far outweigh any cons. And really, you bring up some great points David — about pointing a finger at the pride inherent to religious zealotry, and helping to dispel the notion that the community is monolithic. Amen to that! Anyway, thanks to the Fay Flyer, and to all those who comment on this stuff.
burgerboy
June 22, 2009
People’s comfort level with a little self-deprecating humor is a sign that gays are more mainstream than ever before.
Vanessa Boyd
June 28, 2009
Language is very powerful and for those who seek more power it’s certainly wise to monitor it. It’s lovely to have a civil discussion about it, and a forum to do so. Cheers to everyone.
Sardon
June 29, 2009
None of us are equal until all of us are equal.
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