June 6, 2006
It's D.C. Pride Week! All Experimentation Will Be Forgiven
If today's PETA protest left you wishing for more skin with your politics, then Universal Gear up for more. Whitman-Walker Clinic's yearly gay pride festival, Capital Pride, is back for another year, and—with all the new venues and expanded events—it is bulging at the seams.
While it actually kicked off last weekend with a contest for Mr. CapitalPride Leather and a panel on "Building Bridges without Destroying Identities," the festivities and other related events run all week. Tonight's Pride Week Interfaith Service and tomorrow's workshop entitled, "So, You Want to be a Parent," might not be the events you regularly think of when you think of gay pride celebrations, but it's all part of being an out and proud everyday LGBT citizen.
There's a lot of fun planned, though, including Saturday's parade through the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods, Sunday's street festival and concert (featuring Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke, and local chanteuse Rachel Panay) which always draws the thong-and-only-a-thong crowd, LGBT-themed film screenings, and even a sci-fi video and board gaming party. A full schedule of events is available at the Capital Pride website under "Schedule of Events" and "Affiliated Events."
If you're impressed by the breadth of the festival's offerings, you can laud the event's organizers for their impeccable timing, too. This week finds the U.S. Senate embroiled in a just-for-hate debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment. In case you haven't heard, it's an attempt to amend the U.S. Constitution to make sure that John and Fred who live down the street, go to your church, are active in their kids' school, involved in your neighborhood ANC, and are willing to watch your dog when you leave town don't get married because they are apparently bad for American families. Here's hoping that every single person who comes to town for CapitalPride drops by the offices of his or her senators and those of Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) to refute that in person. Bring your kids.
Image from 2005 CapitalPride by Sam Felder.
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why does experimentation have to be forgiven? is there something wrong with it?
Should be give Sam Brownback a big kiss on the lipe to let him know we love him too?
ct: that's exactly what I thought when -I- read it. "forgiven?!"
I realize it was supposed to be an amusing passing remakr, but Jeez, man. I don't mean to shock you or anything, but some of DCist's readers are actually genuine queer people.
Uhm clearly it was joke... Would you like to buy you all a dictionary for Pride, because I'm quite The Gay and I sure as hell got it. You would think given DCist's traditionally open minded bent and the article's lack of negativity, people would get that. Sigh, Stalin lives among us and no jokes are funny.
To think I stayed home and missed the running for Mr. Capital Leather. Oh if only I had paid attention earlier. Maybe I should fault DCist for not telling me about that last week? I mean how will I go on living if I'm not spoonfed everything? /sarcasm
"Stalin lives among us?" "Spoonfed everything"?
etc.
sigh.
It's my great regret about the advent of the internet that it's given a platform to people with absolutely no critical thinking or debate skills. The best most people can do when attempting an exchange of ideas these days is "Chill" or "get a life" or "If that's the biggest complaint you've got...." and similar glib remarks that totally sidestep the issue at hand.
As for the original, it would have been funnier, and not attracted criticism, had the writer said that experimentation "wouldn't count."
No, it's not the biggest issue in the world, but it's hardly "Stalinist" to suggest that, given our history, it's probably not cool to (perhaps accidentally) imply "experimentation" requires forgiveness.
Chill out.
Jesus H. Christ people-- lighten up! How's that?
xdc, maybe you should experiment by letting the love of jesus into your heart. he will always forgive you, no matter how many hours you've spent in bath houses.
does the internet strip out sarcasm also?
Listen, the "forgiven" comment is just an incentive for our straight friends to join in the fun--at least for the weekend. Is unfortunate that everybody can't slut it up so easily, but we should try to be inclusive anyway.
"Dear Abby,
Please print this so I can be reminded not to use hyperbole as a way of illustrating a point, especially when combined with sarcasm and any '-ism'. I always forget that all people are equal, and some more than others."
As to the original article, it's fine and people will always find something to complain about.