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The Equality Herald - East Tennessee's source for LGBT community news |
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No Pridefest on the Square for June 2007 Organizers look to possible Sept./Oct. date
by
Beth Maples-Bays The official Interpride 2007 theme is “United for Equality,” however that somehow bypassed the Knoxville area. As the rest of the nation anticipates Pride celebrations from coast to coast, LGBTQ community members in the Knoxville area will have to travel to observe the annual public festival events in Asheville, Nashville, and Atlanta. Local event planners report no plans for a traditional Market Square festival, but remain hopeful that they can run with the ball for a possible target date this fall. Knoxville’s history with Pride is not without its bad moments. Previous attempts to organize a permanent Pride organization have ended in turmoil, accusations, bad debts, and bitter feelings on the part of organizers and business owners alike. Lack of committed, permanent Pride organization willing to step up, get the required training, raise funds, and recruit the ranks of volunteers has hampered efforts to have a ongoing commitment to an annual Pride event. Some see this as an indication of an underlying problem. “Without a doubt, I see the lack of cohesiveness in the gay community here in Knoxville. However, I am willing to take a lead position, with support from other individuals, groups, and businesses,” asserts Mike Weyneth, owner of Decadance: the French Quarter of Knoxville. “At this point, a June Pride event is out of the question, but starting to plan an October event now, is a possibility.” Knoxville’s community differs from many others in that we do not have a separately organized Pride corporation dedicated solely to the work of producing of an annual event on the scale of past Pride celebrations. “In order to avoid conflicts with, and show
support for, the other LGBTQ local and regional events listed below, we
have decided to forego a large ‘Pride Festival’ in Knoxville this June,”
explains Todd Cramer, co-director of Knox Pridefest 2006. “In an attempt
to avoid hosting overlapping events, sure to split our attendance,
participation and enjoyment, we have opted instead to host smaller, more
focused activities surrounding already scheduled community events.” Atlanta Pride Executive Director Donna Narducci wants Knox area community members to know that they are welcome. “Certainly the Atlanta Pride celebration is open to all LGBT people, especially folks from neighboring states. We want to encourage all to attend our event,” Narducci confirms. Currently scheduled events are as follows:
June 2nd - Nashville Pride Previous Pride events have yielded mixed reviews dating back to the first-ever event in the 1990s. The spotty history of up-one-year-and-down-another has permeated the local Pride scene since its inception. The regional and national scenes offer consistent year-to-year opportunities to celebrate National Gay Pride Month, something Knoxville has to attain. For those wishing to participate in a Pride
celebration in other neighboring cities or anywhere in the world, click
here:
http://www.interpride.org/12/2007_Events.htm. |
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