Trouble Brewing in the Gay Community? Pride Festival 'Cancellation' Mayhem.

[GatorShane]

Sorry, I didnt mean to imply that he is working alone, but the staff at First Coast Pride/Merge is very small.

[reednavy]

Small enough that they should be able to account for results and money?

That's the main reason I'm so up in arms for. How hard is it to produce numbers.

Funny to see 616 not on the supporting list, and I like that place.

I guess part of the problem can also be put that it is only 2 hours to Orlando's offerings, and 3 to Tampa/St. Pete's.

[reednavy]

Such a shame. It may seem Like I have been bashing, but it is my frustration sounding off. There has to be something we can do.

I can't believe some of the comments left on that story's page.

[reednavy]

Just FYI, Shane hasn't gone anywhere, he lives out on the Westside now. I saw him and his partner at Whole Foods a few weeks back. The stress of being the ringleader basically got the best of him, and stress won.

[TheProfessor]

This letter is sad and all, but I don't see why Merge complains about funds after the fact.  We should have heard about moaning for Pride money way back.  I think this a cop out.  If black pride and ancient pride can do it, then Jax pride could too.  All it takes is some vision and asking for help!

[reednavy]

So he didnt move to alabama? 

As far as I and many of my friends know, no he didn't.

[JaxNole]

What happened to the letter posted by mergejacksonville that Stephen quoted?

[reednavy]

It was deleted by the author.

How unshocking. I smell a cover up.

[GatorShane]

What are you guys talking about? The letter wasn't deleted. I just read it not 5 minutes ago. And the whole rumor about Shane moving to Alabama, That's how shit gets started. He never moved. Oh, and by the way, it want just 616 that didn't participate, What about Park  Place. Everyone is complaining now but where was the outrage in the past. Where were all the gay boys in the past, who instead of helping or contributing to pride would rather drop hundreds of dollars on South Florida, Orlando, or Atlanta. That's my whole point of this rant. Until people realize the important stuff such as volunteerism, activism. community service, and attendance at social events that doesn't include the bars, we will remain in this stagnate position for years to come.

[JaxNole]

I have recently begun to give back to the community to three different organizations.  Something about donating time, skills and talent (funding, if feasible) provides me a sense of fulfillment. 

I liken it to my friends who are or have served our country and their communicating how rewarding it is to be a member of the military.  By no means am I implying my work with three not-for-profit agencies at the same scale of serving in the military, but no other activity brings the type of reward as volunteering does.

Now, for those who want to restore and strengthen the gay community, let's come up with suggestions to do just that.  The deleted post outlined in clear enough terms why the organization had to forego this year's event: Teeny-tiny balance sheet, uncollected receivables, poor P&L. 

If you're interested, let's contribute, either in the form of donations, or through our time and volunteer work.  October 31 will be here soon enough to finalize plans for 2010, so let's get moving.

If anyone has the contact information to connect me with volunteer needs and placement, please PM me.  I won't stand idle and let the wonderful hate-filled rhetoric on Jacksonville dot com to continue.

We need a parade with men and a$$less chaps!

[GatorShane]

Sorry, I wasnt paying attention to the quote part. I have an idea why participation might be so low. First off, I think the gay community in Jacksonville is a reflection of our city as a whole. We still have a somewhat unfavorable perception of ourselves. As a whole, we dont seem to have a sense of optimism or proudness of our city or culture. Second, the guys and gals who have been around for awhile(like myself) grow tired and weary of hearing that this city is about to explode culturally, financially, and all of the promises and broken dreams of a city that can rival our Florida brethren.Next, good or bad, most of thr younger generation of the gay community choose to spend time and money in much more exciting and glamorous cities. Lastly, all of the lesbians have moved to Atlanta(Ha Ha). I love every aspect of our city, thats why everyone I meet from somewhere else tells me I should be the mayor because I always brag about my hometown. Jacksonville as a whole has settled into a sense of complacency, we tend to wait for things to happen, not make them happen. As frustrated as I am about some of the accusations about a very good friend, I am hoping this discussion will light a fire under the gay community that will spread to the city as a whole.

Shane it was this letter: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,5503.msg86362.html#msg86362

Its been deleted.

But your other points are excellent, and good advice no matter what community or place you live in.

Why was participation so low, do you think?

[GatorShane]

Stephen, I think visibility would be an inexpensive and easy first step. One grass roots way I am get more involved is to try and let people be aware that there is a pretty significant community here in Jax. I would say that the 32204 and 32205 zip codes (Riverside/Avondale) have the largest concentration of gay residents , bars, and businesses. I know this from experience and spending lots of time in the area. Also, these are the only 2 zip codes(according to the TU) aside from a small sliver in San Marco, that voted against Ammend 2. Having said this, you can drive through the area and not even know a single gay person lived there if you didn't venture into the businesses or restaurants. My plan, which will be called Visible Jax Pride, would try to get the bar owners and businesses to display the rainbow flag from their buildings. This would give everyone a sense that they really have a part in what Jacksonville becomes. I know that some people will call this an in your face approach. I disagree. Maybe more out of towner would come here and spend money if they knew there was a district full of places that they could hang out and spend time. It would also give us locals an area that we could further be proud of and promote.   (Riverside/Avondal

[JaxNole]

I don't have a rainbow flag (I have a Noles banner), but I have a Human Rights Campaign sticker on my door and the back windshield of my car.  Maybe if I had a ginormous rainbow flag hanging, I wouldn't receive so much literature about being saved.

Maybe it's time to dissociate gay bars and clubs as the only way gay people are "involved" with the community.  Where are the gay book clubs?  Gay cycling groups that don't end up in orgies?  Wine tastings?  Art exhibits?  Bookstores (5 Points newsstand doesn't count)?  DIY workshops?

Being gay doesn't mean events exclusive to gay people, but were I a new resident, I would not know where to find gay-friendly resources without going to a bar or club.

I'm not sure a new group is needed without more information, but sometimes an organization's vision and mission require re-evaluation to become more aligned with the current environment.  A white-flag effort should be made with former groups and then branch out if values differ.

At any rate, I'm ready.

[TheProfessor]

We need more rainbow flags out there.  They increase property values. hehe.

[Ocklawaha]

I want my own association...

"Lesbian's trapped in MALE bodies of America"

Will this parade (if it happened) be followed by heterosexual men marching down the street wearing red Republican neck ties? Will the City's women have to countermarch to show they are proud to be women? What about gay plumbers? Lesbian ob/gyn doctors? or transvestites addicted to Marx Brothers movies?

How about ex railroad consultants that refuse to judge people? Do I get my own parade?

OCKLAWAHA