[OutVoice] Chicago Pridefest protest update
scott free
xscottfreex at yahoo.com
Fri Jul 14 15:34:15 CDT 2006
Our Pridefest protests were noticed by the gay community of Chicago this year in a big way. We created an on-line petition for the LGBT community of Chicago to voice their complaints we received over 150 signatures!
http://www.petitiononline.com/cpes/
Local gay newspaper Chicago Free Press printed Letters to the Editor from both Lars Von Keitz and me. Sukie De La Croix, a columnist for the paper, wrote a scathing piece about the situation. Windy City Times was less friendly, with a piece that didnt give our side a chance for rebuttal. But still, the coverage on the subject was encouraging.
As it turns out, Pridefest did have some gay acts perform a local theater group, the ROTC twirling group, and a cabaret act in which the pianist is gay. None of these performers were announced or publicized before the event. We cannot say if these were last-minute additions our protests started immediately after their press release came out, which had announced an all-straight line-up. No queer bands or singer/songwriters ended up performing. No lesbian acts performed.
We are hoping to build on the response we received from the community. In presenting the petition to the organizers I will make these suggestions.
1. Have a Chicago Pridefest website.
2. Include information on how to apply to be considered for a performance slot.
3. Include members of the Chicago LGBT music community in planning the event
We know that the pressure is on for Chicago Pridefest 2007 well let you know what happens!
Scott Free
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