Gay Pride 2007
“Friends Of Dorothy” Pride Parade, & Pride Festival Charleston, WV 6-10-2007
Len Rogers - StoneWall Society Network
This was the first year in many that I was able to attend a Pride Event and not be working. That in itself made for a most enjoyable day. I have been eager to see the local Pride Parade and Festival and finally the moment had arrived. The elements showed their support with gorgeous weather. Gathering crowds were curious, chatty and friendly. The Festival area on Capitol Street was reserved for vendors and service organizations. This area leads directly into Davis park. So movement and interest were both served by the thoughtful set-up of the event.
Most of my Pride Event experiences have been in large areas like New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and even New York. And as I said earlier I was usually involved in the Festival and working. So having the opportunity to just be a reveler was great fun. In comparing the larger Pride Events with Charleston’s, there are many differences and lots of positives. In larger events frequently the local presence is lost to more national figures. No so here in Charleston.
I was both amazed and very happy to see such diversity in local participation. My personal opinion has always been that Pride celebrations should be more about Pride and be representative of the local community of the event. I have also seen many Pride Events where there was nothing to do but commercial shopping. In other words the vendor area was the event. Also not the case in Charleston. There was ample vendor area to browse and purchase those must have pride objects. Food and drink was kept simple and not grossly over-priced. (I have paid up to four dollars for a plain hot dog at Pride Events.) There was a great shade area to congregate and enjoy the music in Davis park by the bandstand. Lots of people were socializing, relaxing, and walking hand-in-hand.
The most noticeable difference about this event for me, was that groups were not split by gender. A great plus for any area community, even more so for a Pride Event. It was wonderful to see groups of men and women together enjoying the parade and the festival area. We talked with quite a few observing straight couples/families along Capitol Street. Again it was a pleasant surprise to see quite a few of these folks brought the kids along for the fun. The curious were very polite and asked where to find the beads and even if it was ok for them to attend the festival area. Charleston should take great pride in the overall politeness and welcoming attitude of this celebration.
A noticeable but appreciated missing for me, was the huge amounts of anti-GLBTI community protesters. I did see three people with the over-beaten, “Homosexuality Is A Sin” signs. But they were literally scampering up Capitol Street with the signs not held high, but almost it seemed like being hidden. Maybe all the camaraderie, Pride and good spirits made these three stop and look for the sin? Who knows, but in any case I would not call them much of a disturbance. I overheard several asking where all the protesters were this year, so maybe this is a change.
The Friends Of Dorothy Parade was led by a strong flag core and was filled with the usual convertibles carrying local community members, lots of walking groups and fun parade side entertainment by a very talented Boy Scout. Parade observers clapped and cheered as the parade passed by. Local royalty, including the current and past Mr & Ms Pride of West Virginia, along with several entertainers, added fun costumes and of course the glimmer of crowns in the bright sun. Groups varied from Religious to social, including the Leather and Bear community. The representation of community was diverse and packed with local flare.
I did hear some chatter about bigger parades and festivals, but the crowd overall seemed pleased and in a mood to celebrate. It is sometimes difficult to perceive local events in an appropriate light as we live here. I did hear the sarcastic, “Oh Yeah, look how big our pride is.” type comments. As you do in ALL pride events. In New Orleans our worst critics were the local crowd, out-of-towners loved it all. But then the visitors were usually coming from a smaller area. For me, the Charleston celebration was unique and quite charming. Not the bumbling booze fests of the French Quarter, nor the thousand strong throng of revelers in areas like Tampa, Orlando or New York. But a community taking a day to be proud, be out, and share in community. Isn’t that what it is all about? Congrats to Charleston on a celebration to be proud of having. This ex-big city guy had great fun, as well as felt welcome and proud to be a member of this community.
Len Rogers
