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| Local gay residents, Halo co-owner Babak Movahedi (left), author Tim Bergling, activists Frank Kameny and Cheryl Spector and nightlife promoter Karl Jones joined other gay Washingtonians in reminiscing about Pride and its meaning. (Blade photo Henry Linser) |
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inclination to create beauty, foster healing and bring ideas from the psychic edge back to the masses, and we are at an interesting crossroads in our identity that inspires many questions. Pride should engage us to reflect on who we are and inspire us to answer those questions.
What would you change about Capital Pride?
I would like to see gay members of various professions come together in solidarity. Can you imagine a parade with floats dedicated to hairdressers, psychologists, bankers, etc.? We need more damn floats. Also, have community/personal development be as much a focus as entertainment and consumerism are currently. How about workshops on a host of topics that affect us, or forums to discuss local issues in the gay community?
What is your fondest memory of a D.C. Pride event?
As someone who struggled to come out and had to deal with family disapproval and disappointment that I’d found the love of my life, I am always moved when the PFLAG contingent marches by in the Pride parade. I love to see those smiling moms, dads, grandmas and other folks waving their “I love my gay son” banners. Those PFLAG marchers give me hope that families can come around to really love their LGBTQ members.
What should be the purpose of Pride?
The purpose of Pride should be whatever people want it to be. It should be a time for folks to feel free to be.
What would you change about Capital Pride?
I would love it if Capital Pride was more inclusive. My experience of Capital Pride has been that it is a white gay man event. Because of this perception or reality of Capital Pride, folks organize separate distinct Pride events — Black Pride and Youth Pride. There are ways in which Capital Pride organizers could be deliberate about space for these groups, as well as other underrepresented folks.
What is your fondest memory of a D.C. Pride event?
My fondest memory is probably my first Pride back in 1986. I remember going to P Street Beach and seeing so many gay people everywhere. I had just graduated high school and grew up about 50 miles south of here, and it was huge to me to see people like me everywhere. And to see people nothing like me, too! I remember staying all day with a few friends and dancing and just taking in all of it. I do have other memories, as I moved to D.C. that next year and have only missed one Pride since then. If I only knew that day as a little baby preppy dyke where I would end up, I would have never believed it. I still remember seeing the leather women on bikes that day and thinking<
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