Portland Pride 2008: What gives with these people?
T.A. Barnhart
I had a great time at Portland Pride today, carrying the banner announcing Laura Calvo as the winner of the "Spirit of Pride" award (seen here riding the Wells Fargo stagecoach with Mayor-elect Sam Adams). But once I got to the end of the parade and doubled back a bit to watch the rest of the parade, I noticed something kind of odd.
There were a hell of a lot of church groups in the parade.
Here's the thing about that: Portland has the lowest church-attendance rate in the country. Yet the parade was packed to the gills with church people! Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Buddhists, Episcopalians, Mormons (ok, maybe just one), United Church of Christ (Obama's denomination) and, of course, Unitarians. And on top of having that many churchies in America's least churchy city — they were there on Sunday morning. During church time!
I mean, wtf?
Anyway, I had a great time. It looked like others did, too. But I have to say something about this day and this parade:
These people shouldn't have to have a special day and a special event. They are just people. I hope the time isn't too far away when we won't need days like this just to recognize the basic humanness of other humans. Until then, I'll be an advocate for their rights, for tolerance of their differences, for not pointing them out on the streets as they gather together and perform whatever weird acts it is they perform. In the the end, these people are just like you and me. They aren't freaks. They aren't broken.
They just like to go to church. Be nice to them.
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Jun 16, '08
Ha.
Also, Mormons, from my experience, are over-represented in the queer (or at least gay male) population. I'm talking Catholic-level representation. I think it's all the older brothers. Perhaps there was only one banner-bearing Mormon, but I assure you that Mormons, regardless of their status with the church, were all over that parade.
Jun 16, '08
I for one am just pleased that it's been over 8 hours since the first gay couples were legally married in the state to our south.
Jun 16, '08
I'm gay.
I had an older sister. Then she got sex change surgery. Now I have an older brother.
That explains why I'm gay.
Jun 16, '08
Unlike the heavily-censored, bland, corporately-sponsored Rose Festival parades, the Portland Pride Parade is truly a community event. What other parade can a wide-range of faith communities, non-profits, employee groups, and political organizations march and actually have a good time? I'm gay and do hope there is less of a need for pride parades as we gain more civil rights and equality. However, I hope the parade continues as a city-wide community event.
Jun 16, '08
Funny..!
However, keep in mind that the Archdiocese of Portland just threw its support behind efforts to overturn domestic partnership and anti-discrimination legislation - and, of course, Portland Catholics were the biggest financial backers of Measure 36...
So at some point all those nice Catholic marchers, from St. Andrews and All Saints, must understand that the money they drop in their collection plates DIRECTLY backs efforts to disenfranchise those they are supposedly marching for...
Thus, if you "go to church" at All Saints, you help hire Archdiocese lobbyists who work against equality (not to mention choice, and public science education). Marching doesn't help - quitting a gay-bashing parish does. Many have.
9:28 a.m.
Jun 16, '08
I went to PRIDE yesterday and it was a blast! I almost cried half a dozen time because you can feel love radiating off the street with all these lovely people and their children and great church-y signs that say "God loves everyone" in rainbow colors. So, so cool. I've got some pics if you want to check them out.
Jun 16, '08
I am among those who have marched with churches in the Portland Pride parade in previous years. (I'm living in California at the moment or else I'd be back in the parade again.)
Why do we do march? Because a lot of us are embarrassed by a confused and oppressive misunderstanding of Christianity that leads to not just acts of hate toward others but - when internalized - leads to deeply and completely unnecessary acts of self-distraction. We're just normal people too - who don't get the microphone or the TV networks or whatever but want to say - the Bible we read, The Christ we follow has a long standing record of loving and accepting all. So it becomes more important to march then it does to worship on that Sunday. To say in some small, incomplete way - Look, we're not like the bullies, the hate-mongers, the fearful. To say - bring it on. We walk with you too.
I think its connected to the old measure 9 campaign - at least it is for me. Recently I watched a documentary on M9 and remembered all over again why it suddenly became so important to stand up and say to Lon Mabon & company: No.
10:40 a.m.
Jun 16, '08
There are alot of church-goers and alot of denominations who participate in the Pride parade and festival. It is one of the things we are most proud of, and grateful for. There is a tremendous amount of support from many faiths and sects and part of the reason they seem so visible during Pride is because they want to make sure that our community KNOWS that. They also tend to be the first line of love and support between protestors and participants. Welcoming Congregations, pretty much every year, makes their presence known at the end of the parade route so that those in the parade and those watching know that this is their day and that they are loved and welcome. As one of the parade and festival organizers, it makes me feel really good to see that support there. We take alot for granted in Portland, but there are new folks every year who may, for the first time, be seeing someone from a faith-based organization welcoming them and wishing them well. It is a powerful feeling.
Like Karol, I found myself moved almost to tears by the sheer joy I was seeing this weekend, and the diversity of our community. I was also incredibly aware of the support that I could see from all corners of the community. It was a beautiful time, and by most accounts (still waiting for hard numbers) a record-setting one. Until the day comes when we don't need to celebrate ourselves, we will continue to be proud to do so.
11:12 a.m.
Jun 16, '08
"Unlike the heavily-censored, bland, corporately-sponsored Rose Festival parades, the Portland Pride Parade is truly a community event."
I thought it was a great parade, but it's been a while since I've been to a Pride, and I was surprised at how corporate it had become. Not censored, definitely not bland--but Sam Adams was riding a Wells Fargo wagon, and we also saw groups from Nike and PGE among others, and BankAmerica was a big sponsor. It's a positive to see companies feeling like it's a benefit to be represented, but there's definitely a more organized feel to it now.
I'll have some pics up at lunch--my favorite part was that either someone was having a joke or made a mistake, and stuck the nuns in drag right in the middle of all the religious groups. :)
1:15 p.m.
Jun 16, '08
also, it was great to see the group of Portland Police and Mult Co Sherrifs marching in uniform. not too unsuprisingly, they were all women except for one man (Pdx cop). but they were very proud & happy-looking women; it's very cool that we live in a city that enables people to be themselves in more spheres of life than you find in a lot of places around the country.
1:47 p.m.
Jun 16, '08
"Sam Adams was riding a Wells Fargo wagon, and we also saw groups from Nike and PGE among others, and BankAmerica was a big sponsor. It's a positive to see companies feeling like it's a benefit to be represented..."
The very positive development speaks volumes, and much louder than the fool who showed up with the megaphone. You've come a long way, baby.
Jun 16, '08
I sometimes internally wince at things I see at gay pride. But one day a year we should be allowed to display the side of ourselves that makes some people uncomfortable (including me).
Sadly, I missed the parade this year (but was glad to miss Sam's apotheosis). By all accounts, it was a good year for Pride.
In spite of all its imperfections, I do love this city of Portland.
Jun 16, '08
I marched with the SPOGs in the parade and was delighted to see the outpouring of affection for us. Having lived in San Francisco for many years before moving to Portland, I have great admiration and respect for LGBTs. The LGBT community is responsible for many contributions to society in general, and they are deserving of a day of pride and recognition. Thank you from one freak to another.
8:12 p.m.
Jun 16, '08
not sure what you resent about Sam, dank, but he actually seemed a bit embarrassed by the cheering and affection thrown his way. perhaps it was a realization of the expectation a lot of people have for him now (i'm surmising); perhaps it was a bit of awe that his city would elect an openly gay man mayor and sexual orientation had almost nothing to do with the campaign or win. whatever it was, folks yelled their heads off for him and he seemed to find it all a bit much. i'm looking forward to his term beginning next year.
Harry: SPOG?
8:46 p.m.
Jun 16, '08
I thought it was a great parade, but it's been a while since I've been to a Pride, and I was surprised at how corporate it had become.
Actually, on average 75-90% of parade and festival participants (booths, sponsors, vendors, etc.) are non-profits, local community organizations and local (usually relatively small) businesses.
Jun 17, '08
Sorry t.a., SPOG = Seriously Pissed Off Grannies, also known as the Surge Protection Brigade. Direct action gets the goods.
10:44 p.m.
Jun 17, '08
"Actually, on average 75-90% of parade and festival participants (booths, sponsors, vendors, etc.) are non-profits, local community organizations and local (usually relatively small) businesses."
Well, I'm thinking of like, Chicago in the late 80s/early 90s. I don't recall any banks. :)
Jun 19, '08
I have gone to the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Gay Pride parades in Portland (moved here last year). As a non-Christian who cannot envision how the LGBT community can be Christian, I will not go to another unless the organizers limit the number of churches to a maximum of 5 to 10% of the parade entrants. The LGBT community has nothing to prove by associating itself with churches.
Jun 19, '08
I love the parade and the Waterfront gathering because everyone seems so glad to be a part of it all.
I drove Amanda Fritz's zebra car (license plate: ZENTRA) and took pictures as I went along. People were surprised and delighted when they realized I was taking their picture from inside the parade.
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