Rainy day can’t stop parade
The Dallas Voice recently posed the question “Is gay Pride still relevant?” (DV Speak Out Poll, Sept. 15). Well, the question was answered very distinctly at the 2006 gay Pride parade. For the first time in 23 years, it has rained on our parade. But guess what it did not dampen the spirits of this community.
We waited in line to start the parade in the rain. I saw or heard no complaints, just determination to go on with the show, rain or shine. The fact is, I suspect it strengthened their resolve to celebrate their pride. The crowd stood in the rain to watch, and no one complained or left. Then it started raining really hard, and the parade continued. The brave and daring stayed and cheered.
The rally in the park was a huge success. Just as we finished the show, the bottom fell out and it poured for 30 minutes. People huddled under the porch and under tents and continued to have a good time.
Dallas Voice reporter David Webb and I had a conversation on the way to the park about Alan Ross preventing it from raining on his parade day for 22 years. We joked that he had gotten his dates wrong or just overlooked us this year.
But the more I thought about it, the more crystal clear it became for me: Just maybe it was a test a test of this community to overcome yet another obstacle to our gay Pride celebration.
I’d say we passed that test with flying colors.
We had volunteers working in the rain, getting soaking wet, and yet they stayed till the end and finished their jobs. Youth First Texas members worked really hard picking up and packing up. Kathy Jack and Susie Buck worked their tails off in the rain, keeping the rally going. TGRA served beer in the pouring rain. All the exhibitors endured the rain and packed up to depart with rain still falling.
Yes, we were soaked. Yes we were tired. But the show went on, and we made lemonade out of lemons. Thanks so much to everyone who worked so hard, endured so much, and made this event happen. God love you all.
Alan Pierce
Dallas Tavern Guild
Price is wrong
I find it interesting that Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price does not think his remarks are insensitive or out of place for a county leader (Activists angered by commissioner’s comment on sheriff’s LGBT liaison,” Dallas Voice, Sept. 15).
Furthermore I find it ludicrous for him to say that no one contacted him about GLBT issues. It must take an act of Congress to set an appointment with him. I, for one, contacted his office by phone several times, only to be told that his assistant would call me back. I was finally advised to send an email to his administrative assistant. I never received a call or email in response to my request for a meeting with Commissioner Price.
He has every right to disagree with Sheriff Valdez on administrative issues concerning the Dallas County Jail. However, it should be done in a constructive manner with both parties listening to each other to develop a plan that adequately funds and staffs the county jail system.
As president of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, I hear and see the frustrations of prejudice and bigotry. I stand by my statements of support for Sheriff Valdez and my belief in the importance of community liasons.
Dallas County has grown to be a very diverse community. We demand more from our leaders. We demand a place at the table of discussion. We demand more of Commissioner John Wiley Price.
Pete Webb
Dallas
UMC commercial misleading
I was watching CNN last week and saw a commercial about a non-judgmental, diverse church. It was so impressive that I took the time to replay it several times on Tivo in order to write down what the six characters in the commercial were saying:
“I believe no one who asks for help should be turned away.” “I believe it’s good to question.” “None of us are qualified to judge the lives of others.” “I believe a church isn’t a building.” “When you truly embrace diversity, you embrace God.” “I can’t believe there’s a church that believes these things.”
Then the announcer closes with: “We may not all believe exactly the same things, but the people of the United Methodist Church believe in God and each other. If you are searching for something to believe in, our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open.”
As a former Methodist, when I realized this was a United Methodist Church ad, I was stunned. Because these claims are far from true when it comes to gay Christians.
I understand that the United Methodist Church’s policy is that being gay is “incompatible with Christian teachings,” and that the church’s practice is to strip its clergy of their credentials if they admit they are gay, or if they give blessings to the holy unions of gay couples.
I know several former United Methodist pastors that have left the domination before they could be kicked out. And I know current United Methodist clergy that are gay and still in the closet so they can keep their jobs and continue to serve God. What a shame.
The commercial looks great, and I’m sure it catches people’s attention. But how can the United Methodist Church run this ad and maintain any shred of integrity?
Max Rippetoe
Dallas
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, September 22, 2006.