Jun 24, 2005   | COMMENTS     

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Hillsborough County Commission has enacted a policy banning county agencies from acknowledging Gay Pride events, despite several impassioned pleas from gay rights advocates. Civil rights groups threatened to sue and called for a town hall meeting on the ban, which requires the Hillsborough County government “to abstain from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay Pride recognition and events.” The board passed the proposal 5-1 last week. Hillsborough Commissioner Ronda Storms, who recommended the policy, followed up with a second proposal, that commissioners can only repeal the policy on a 5-2 super majority vote that follows a public hearing. “I think that Hillsborough County commissioners sent a very clear message that not everyone is welcome here,” said Vonn New, Central Florida director for the gay, lesbian and transgender rights advocacy group Equality Florida. “I think it’s shameful what the commission has done.”

RuPaul helps Baltimore celebrate 30th Pride
BALTIMORE — An interfaith service kicked off Baltimore’s 30th annual Pride festivities, which also included a parade, block party and Sunday festival at Druid Hill Park. RuPaul headlined a block party celebration, while a number of other performers, including singer Melissa Ferrick, also participated. Local gay leaders said the event shows that Baltimore is open to diversity. “Baltimore’s Pride celebration was a tremendous success and highlights the city’s commitment to diversity,” said Bryan Stark, chair of the Baltimore mayor’s task force on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. “Thousands of people turned out to have a good time in the name of an important cause.”

Lawmakers debate delay in Canadian gay marriage measure at Pride
EDMONTON, Canada — Legislators blamed both Conservatives and Liberals for a delay in the nation’s gay marriage bill as they spoke at Pride activities last week, the Edmonton Sun reported. Speaking at Edmonton’s Pride Week festivities, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan, grand marshal of the Pride parade, said the gay rights measure would already be law “if Conservatives stopped using their obstructionist filibuster tactics,” the Sun reported. But federal NDP Leader Jack Layton blamed Liberals for the delay and said he worries that Prime Minister Paul Martin will call a summer recess before the measure allowing gay marriage is passed, according to the newspaper. “No holiday till equality,” Layton said, leading the crowd in a chant. “There’s only one thing stopping it (the vote) from happening, and that is Prime Minister Martin,” he added, according to the Sun.

Thousands rally for Pride in annual Pittsburgh event
PITTSBURGH — Sunshine provided pleasant weather for the annual Pittsburgh Three Rivers PrideFest parade last week, which drew hundreds of participants, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Although PrideFest was held in cramped conditions on side streets for many years, it ran through downtown this time, the newspaper reported. “I still wouldn’t say it compares to other cities,” participant Scott Moeller told the Post-Gazette, citing Washington, D.C. and Toronto. “Our gay population in Pittsburgh is so small.” But participant Ron Siler noted, “Just the fact that we even have one” is significant, the newspaper reported. Produced by the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh, the city’s PrideFest started out as an activist event and now is more a celebration of everything gay activists have achieved, according to organizers, the Post-Gazette reported. About 4,000 people filled Riverfront Park as part of the event, the newspaper reported.

200 pay tribute to gay activists at Iowa event
IOWA CITY — Hundreds gathered for the 21st annual Pride Festival at College Green Park in Iowa City to celebrate those who have worked for gay rights, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported. Robin Butler of the Iowa City Pride Committee estimated the crowd at 200, and she said that the festival is both to mark the 1969 Stonewall riots and also to celebrate the area’s gay community, the Press-Citizen reported. “Initially, it was a radical idea,” Butler told the newspaper about the festival. “As society changes, it’s not as radical ... but totally accepted. We gather to celebrate and have fun.” A parade and musical entertainment, costume contest and comedy show all are part of the event, in addition to recognizing those who have fought for gay rights in the area, the Press-Citizen reported. Among those honored, Iowa City human rights coordinator Heather Shank received the Legacy Award for her work in fighting discrimination 10 years after she led efforts to add transgendered people to the city’s human rights code, according to the newspaper.