Jun 06, 2008  |  By: ZACK ROSEN  | COMMENTS     

The definition of  “gay” is changing. Instead of one monolithic cultural identity, Washington’s queer populations now consider themselves part of numerous subgroups within the greater gay label. This becomes especially apparent during Pride season, when alternatives to the main Capital Pride celebration are organized.

The most established of those celebrations is Black Pride, which just marked its 18th anniversary over Memorial Day weekend.

“Black Pride is not separate, it’s in addition to Capital Pride,” says the event’s vice president Ray Daniels. “It’s not exclusively for African Americans, but it’s a celebration of the African-American LGBT experience … there are cultural nuances that are not readily available in Capital Pride. It’s an opportunity for people to get together and share a commonality that is not always fully experienced in Capital Pride.”

Not everyone in D.C. feels that the compartmentalization of Pride is a good thing. While Daniels views it as necessary, others in the city see it simply as separatist — something heard anecdotally and on online message boards. It’s not a politically correct sentiment; so often it gets expressed anonymously. On the Blade’s web site, among others, some readers have left inflammatory comments about the multiple Pride events.

“The D.C. gay scene is very racially segregated,” one post reads. “It is way past time that blacks ended their bigotry and stopped having Black Pride and excluding whites from their cliques.”

“And now an Asian Pride?” writes another reader. “Geez, can’t we just have one Pride? If not, can we have a white male only Pride? Talk about being racist.”

THOUGH THESE COMMENTS are made anonymously, they reflect an often unspoken truth about the gay community — Capital Pride is sometimes viewed as a predominantly white event.

“I think there is an overall celebration, which is Capital Pride, and that is for everyone,” says Mark Heckathorn, co-chair of Capital Pride’s marketing and communications committee. “Then there are these subgroups, the smaller ones, like Black Pride and Leather Pride and Youth Pride, that have all developed their own programs for specific audiences. I think there is a place for both. “

Two Pride subsets have begun to host their events within the framework of Capital Pride. Friday, June 13, is the inaugural Latino Pride celebration. Consisting of an opening reception at HRC headquarters and a Latino Pride Dance at Aqua (home of gay Latino night Fuego) later in the night, the event is being organized by the Latino LGBT History Project.

The organization’s president, Jose Gutierrez, feels that it’s important for gay Latinos to have their own space during Pride. He also disagrees with those who feel that specific Pride events are divisive.

“I think that sometimes different target populations need their own space to talk about their needs.

I think it’s the opposite of [divisive]. It’s about love, unity, it’s about strengthening the community to bring the community together.”

THE OTHER ADVANTAGE of the various Pride events is that they can give historically marginalized groups a chance to be represented. The 2nd Annual Capital Trans Pride takes place on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m., and features three seminars on various topics of importance to the transgender community.

“I’ve heard a lot of feedback that this event has been needed,” says chair SaVanna Wanzer. “Our first Capital Trans Pride was last year. There have been 33 years of Prides without the transgender events, and there have been so many other events going on for 33 years — Mr. and Mrs. Pride, the hero awards. Everybody has their own little separate events — the lesbian auctions, the male auctions, so many different things that the transgender community may not feel a part of.”

Wanzer also feels that Trans Pride is a good way for others to learn about a segment of the gay population that is often misunderstood, as evidenced by the recent debates over a trans-inclusive ENDA.

“Even though it’s a Trans Pride event, it’s not just for the trans community,” Wanzer says. “There are others that come to learn about the lifestyle, about the transgendered, that don’t understand. … We’re not going to be 100 percent separate, we want to feel a part of Capital Pride. This is just one event of the 14-day celebration where we stand out.”