This post was sent in by a faithful reader of metrojacksonville.com
Apparently there are lingering questions about the finances surrounding Jacksonville Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered advocacy group, inexplicably called "Merge"--formerly called The First Coast Pride Organization.
Here is the skinny from Miss Karrissa Wade, the editor of Big Boned and Bossy, a satirical local website.
Considering the comedic nature of the rest of the website, this is pretty strong stuff.
http://bigbonedandbossy.blogspot.com/2009/07/pride-fiasco-up-in-smoke.html
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3722340910_4ef362012a.jpg)
Quote
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5pU1cbDerYo/SfiiA3DR9oI/AAAAAAAAAAM/FmA_1Fotghs/S240/karrissa.jpg)
Jacksonville's First Lady, the savvy and incisive Miss Karrissa Wade has been deluged recently with the fairly shocking and deplorable news that Jacksonville's Annual Pride Parade has not only been cancelled, but that there are lingering questions as to why.
Lets start with the propaganda and half truths and work our way up to the outright lies and jaw dropping details:
First there is the legendary state of the Finances of the official committee which Jacksonville's gay community has entrusted with handling its non profit affairs, its newspaper, and the Pride Festival itself.
Despite heavy underwriting and generous donations given by many individuals, bars, and organizations over the past three years apparently the organization is penniless.
How could this be, Miss Wade is constantly asked. How could this possibly be?
Then there is the deteriorating quality for three years running of the two major projects which the Pride Committee is supposed to be handling. The gay newspaper, and the Pride Festival.
Gay newspapers around the country serve as the advocates and voice for the gay communities that they serve. We may have come a long way Baby, but we ain't there yet. And Jacksonville is still one of the most homodenying and homophobic cities in the nation. There is a real role that should be filled by our newspaper. Our issues are real and they are ignored by the mainstream media.
For example, where was our advocate newspaper when all of the gay bars were being raided and shut down this past year?
Miss Wade fails to remember them being anywhere except in the bars sipping cocktails.
When sailors were being discharged for their orientations at both NAS and Mayport, where was our paper demanding justice?
Another of Miss Wades Tea acquaintances points out that there hasnt even been an issue of the paper in a while.
Miss Wade wishes that she knew this for a fact, but it was invisible for so long, that she really can't tell for sure.
So much, thinks Miss Wade, for the first half of the two important things that our Pride Committee promised all of us that they would do.
Now for the Pride Festival itself.
When one thinks of Pride Festivals, one immediately thinks of the most important feature in all parades everywhere: The Parade.
Parades let every one of us participate. It is the one way that we get to go out, be visible, be ourselves in public, and show the rest of the world the joy and the pride that is a part of our community.
Parades everywhere, that is, except Jacksonville this year.
Instead, for the previous 10 years, we have had a picnic. Or, when the organization was working at its height, a Major Three Day Event at the Beaches.
How difficult can it be to organize gays into a big showy parade? Or even how expensive? Miss Wade has seen enough gay men and women line up and cut the fool to staff the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade whenever they announce free shots at the bar, so she is not going to be trifled with on this question.
You could cause a small riot just by pointing a couple of the queens at Incahoots and telling them Zac Efron was just seen in the parking lot.
Instead. Jacksonville, with its population of a million plus has barely been able to afford a picnic in the gayest park in Florida.
Last year, the entire Pride Festival had to happen inside the Bars and Nightclubs. That is because there wasnt enough money to sponsor events where there might be a cost in the rentals.
There was a parade, thank god. But that was because of the clubs and organizations stepping up at the last minute and donating their time and energy.
Oh? Miss Wade hears? There are gasps in the online audience? She remembers that no one really knew what happened last year.
At the last minute, with barely enough time to pull it together the Bar Owners and a few generous individuals were thunderstruck to find that there werent finances or planning in place for the festival and they had to put it together themselves.
So here we are this year, and now we are told that there will not even be a Pride Festival.
This comes with no notice at all, and no time to put anything together.
The Bars are having to sponsor their own events, and their own celebrations. At the last minute they have been able to pool their time and money to sponsor the Memorial Picnic.
Miss Wade doesn't normally dish out more credit than abuse, but she feels her faithful readers will forgive her by naming the people and organizations who managed to pull this off:
Metro
Incahoots
AJs
BootRack
Bo's Coral Reef
and HandyMan To Go.
Without them, there would have been nothing at all.
But where is the money that has been collected by the "Pride" Committee?
One of the Bar Owners sent an inquiry email to find out what happened to all the cash that had been contributed earlier this year:
From: (redacted)
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 6:05 PM
To: a.solomon@mergejacksonville.com
Subject: Re: 2009 First Coast Pride Events Cancelled
What about all the money that was raised this year with the agreement that there would be a parade. The bars still want a parade even if we can't afford the main event.
The records for this organization are public record? Correct??
So can you please send me a copy of the funds raised and money spent so we can see what's going on. The bars will be meeting next week to figure out the next step and these records are neeeded. Thanks
(Redacted)
They recieved a curious response:
From: a.solomon
Subject: RE: 2009 First Coast Pride Events Cancelled
To:( redacted)
Date: Monday, July 13, 2009, 2:32 PM
July 13, 2009
Thank you for your most recent e-mail inquiry regarding the cancellation of the 2009 First Coast Pride event(s). It is truly unfortunate that both businesses and residents of the First Coast will have to forfeit the production of Northeast Florida’s largest pride festival activities.
All sponsors and vendors of the 2009 First Coast Pride Festival are refunded directly. Any and all individual donations made to Merge Jacksonville, Inc. are unrestricted donations to the organization and are tax deductible; however, they are not refundable.
Contributions made to Merge Jacksonville, Inc. between November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009 will be reflected in our 2010 annual report. This report will be made available in April 2010.
In order to ensure the 2010 event(s), it will be necessary to secure sponsorship opportunities before October 31, 2009. We sincerely hope that you will consider becoming a sponsor.
Aaron Solomon
Events Director
Merge Jacksonville, Inc.
1-888-411-OITC ext 703
Under other circumstances, Miss Wade would be amused, if not outright envious of this response. She wishes she could be just that Gangsta.
"You gave your money, and we are keeping it.
Well get with you next year with the books. (that is if you still remember it)
By the way. You got some change and a smoke?"
This last part, Miss Wade thinks, is the absolute best. It takes balls to panhandle two minutes after you got caught purse snatching.
One final note: More hilarity ensues from the notice that has been posted on the Merge Website.
The 2009 Pride Festival has been postponed.
The notes say that it will take place in 2010.
Really? Really?
Will all the banners read Happy Belated 2009 during the 2010? What about the 2010 parade? Will we get to march twice to make up for this year? Or will they simply delay celebrating 2010 until 2011?
Is there a possibility that President Palin will be elected while the Jacksonville Gay Community is still in 2011?
The mind fairly explodes.
There are a lot of unanswered questions. So far the hottest one is "Did the Pride Committee (and no one else) go Partying in Atlanta?" if so, who paid for it?
Miss Wade is going back to her boudoir to see if she can find her ass kicking boots.
She wants to make Nancy Sinatra proud.
If this keeps up, she will make Sigourney Weaver proud.
Hold up, where does Shane Denmark fall into this at? He's the head of something around here.
I posted about this a few weeks back, and this is a travesty to the community.
If anyone remember the guys with the umbrellas last year, make it known, I was one of them. I was the one with the blonde wig and kiddie crown of Strawberry Shortcake.
I'm fairly sure he is the head of First Coast Pride, or somewhere along those lines, fron what I've been told and personally knowing him.
It is a shame the St. Auggie Pride has a better website and is only 2 years old!
http://www.ancientcitypride.org/
Here's ours:
http://www.firstcoastpride.com/
I'm actually sort of enraged at St. Johns County having it's own, when they know damn good and well they're part of Jacksonville's pride organization. I guess being sandwiched between Daytona/Palm Coast's and Jacksonville's, yet part of isn't good enough, so they started their own. These two need to MERGE and become one, now we have competing prides, wtf is next?!
Quote from: stephendare on July 14, 2009, 11:26:15 PM
Who is Shane Denmark, Reednavy?
This is apparently a very big controversy. What do you know about it?
I'd just really like to know, wtf is the money, where'd it go, what was it spent on and how could this have happened?! Our pride used to be a helluva lot larger from what I've learned. The 12th largest city in the nation can't even have a f*cking pride parade, this is another check on the bad list for the city. No reasons, no excuses why a part of the population can't garner enough support and donations, even in a Right leaning city such as ours. Look at Nashville!
Somebody's got their hand in the cookie jar...
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 15, 2009, 12:24:49 AM
Somebody's got their hand in the cookie jar...
There's no other way to explain it. Unless they bought some condo in Fort Lauderdale, lol.
This is the one that takes place in Five Points, right? What a bummer that it's been canceled. It's something I genuinely look forward to.
Quote from: stug on July 15, 2009, 11:15:01 AM
This is the one that takes place in Five Points, right? What a bummer that it's been canceled. It's something I genuinely look forward to.
That was the MOSAIC dance last year at 5 Points Theatre. The parade alos happened to end there as well.
No, it wasn't Mosaic. They close off Park Street, march from Willow Branch park, and end in Five Points where there's a big street party. Is Pride Fest something different?
Quote from: stephendare on July 15, 2009, 11:20:50 AM
Apparently there are massive amounts of money that no one can account for.
And according to the letter that Karrissa has on her blog, they don't intend to give accounting to anyone until next April. (10 more months?)
Gives them enough to cover their tracks. There has to be some legal ways to get to see the records, they're a public group and as such, should provide info on where this money went.
Apparently the previous people that ran FCP, did not file tax returns for years, and incured a $10,000 tax lein. Pride last year operated in the red at the end of the year. Maybe that explains something. However, there shouldn't be an excuse as to why we can't raise that maoney and get this boat afloat again.
Quote from: stephendare on July 15, 2009, 01:29:57 PM
It seems pretty simple, Reed.
Are you being sarcastic, real, or what.
I just have no real idea who to believe right now, it's just such a shame.
Justin, not to be a bitch, but putting the blame on Shane Denmark is absurd .He has worked his ass off over the past several years,a lot of times using his own funds to finance different things. I find it ironic that the same bar owners who have fought each other over petty shit for years are now up in arms. You want to know why the eatnt was cancelled? The gay community in this city(a city that I love by the way) is probably the most apathetic in the country. The bar owners are only in it for themselves and there is way to much in-fighting. I too am very dissapointed that there wont be a parade or festival this year, but please dont put the blame on someone has has been an integral part of the gay community for most of the 17 plus years that I have known him. More of us need to get involved at a grass roots level. I plan to start an organization soon called Visable Pride. This would encourage bar owners and businesses to display their pride in simple ways such as flying the rainbow flag from their buildings. I also plan to submit an application to the city council to have part off Riverside declared Jacksonvilles official Rainbow District. This is what we all need to do if we want the gay community here to thrive, not put the blame on Shane Denmark. He doesnt desrve to be criticized after all of his hard work. And whoever this Karissa is, her response is typical of a bitchy drag queen.
I dont know if the bars were involved this year, but I do know they were invited to participate in the past. Shane Denmark has chaired the pride committee for several years, as well as run the newspaper, organized the festival, parade and block party. He is also responsible for organizing the Steppin Out events which encouraged members of the gay community to visit different Jacksonville venues each month in support of pride. Listen, I dont pretend to know all of the politics that go on behind the scenes, but the memebers of the community and the bar owners can be hard to deal with at times.
Maybe Ancient City pride can be bigger and better this year since no Jax Pride. Pool everyones sponsors/effors into one good pride event in St. Auggie.
Sorry, I didnt mean to imply that he is working alone, but the staff at First Coast Pride/Merge is very small.
Quote from: stephendare on July 16, 2009, 10:31:29 PM
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.
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.
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.
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!
Quote from: stephendare on July 17, 2009, 11:49:54 AM
So he didnt move to alabama?
As far as I and many of my friends know, no he didn't.
What happened to the letter posted by mergejacksonville that Stephen quoted?
Quote from: stephendare on July 17, 2009, 03:40:18 PM
It was deleted by the author.
How unshocking. I smell a cover up.
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.
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!
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.
Quote from: stephendare on July 17, 2009, 05:12:25 PM
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?
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
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.
We need more rainbow flags out there. They increase property values. hehe.
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
Ock, go right ahead. Mergejacksonville outlined the process, down to the permitting process.
No law is stopping you from organizing your own. Perhaps Gate could sponsor your parade route, too, riding on a PCT painted to look like a streetcar. :)
Apopalyptic thought, Ocklawaha riding in a PCT! Oh the humanity!
OCKLAWAHA
Don't forget the leather chaps!
Quote from: reednavy on July 16, 2009, 10:57:05 PM
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.
Main reason why i never go out on Jax anymore. Clubs are dated and boring. Everyone goes to one place on Thurs, another Fri...Sat... Sun... and you end up seeing the same ppl trying to forget that they live in a city with no pride. Orlando has a tremendous amount of qualities to merit a more diverse upbringing for their Pride. I'd rather save my money spent on cover in Jax for gas money to Orlando. It just doesn't seem too hard to breathe life into a club... no less a gay club where, like it or not, it's a "themed" club. Like it was previously mentioned: apathetic gay Jax community, which unfortunately forgoes more apathy and then apparently no money for a Pride fest. that was all we had to look forward to!
Quote from: nicktooch on July 18, 2009, 08:11:53 PM
Quote from: reednavy on July 16, 2009, 10:57:05 PM
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.
Main reason why i never go out on Jax anymore. Clubs are dated and boring. Everyone goes to one place on Thurs, another Fri...Sat... Sun... and you end up seeing the same ppl trying to forget that they live in a city with no pride. Like it was previously mentioned: apathetic gay Jax community, which unfortunately forgoes more apathy and then apparently no money for a Pride fest. that was all we had to look forward to!
WTF? Nichtooch, bummer man, wow, you mean you gay folks don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving? Sad... Guess you must have missed the wild Rocky Horror LIVE event here too? "A City With No Pride," sounds like a 60 Minutes segment. I'm a PROUD Lesbian, caught in a male body for life... What to do, what to do? I'm going to hold my own parade and your all invited as me and me storm Forsyth Street!
BTW Try J walking in Orlando some night after the clubs and the truth about Mickeys fake, plastic city will become all to real, really fast! Orlando LOVES gay folks... Uh Huh... Tell that to officer Gonzales. Better yet, tell him with your best Spanish accent and watch what happens... Can you tell? I just LOVE Orlando, like I'd love to see it sink beneath the ancient Volcano it sits over. OCKLAWAHA
As proud as a Male Lesbian can be!
Quote from: Ocklawaha on July 18, 2009, 09:34:43 PM
Quote from: nicktooch on July 18, 2009, 08:11:53 PM
Quote from: reednavy on July 16, 2009, 10:57:05 PM
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.
Main reason why i never go out on Jax anymore. Clubs are dated and boring. Everyone goes to one place on Thurs, another Fri...Sat... Sun... and you end up seeing the same ppl trying to forget that they live in a city with no pride. Like it was previously mentioned: apathetic gay Jax community, which unfortunately forgoes more apathy and then apparently no money for a Pride fest. that was all we had to look forward to!
WTF? Nichtooch, bummer man, wow, you mean you gay folks don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving? Sad... Guess you must have missed the wild Rocky Horror LIVE event here too? "A City With No Pride," sounds like a 60 Minutes segment. I'm a PROUD Lesbian, caught in a male body for life... What to do, what to do? I'm going to hold my own parade and your all invited as me and me storm Forsyth Street!
BTW Try J walking in Orlando some night after the clubs and the truth about Mickeys fake, plastic city will become all to real, really fast! Orlando LOVES gay folks... Uh Huh... Tell that to officer Gonzales. Better yet, tell him with your best Spanish accent and watch what happens... Can you tell? I just LOVE Orlando, like I'd love to see it sink beneath the ancient Volcano it sits over.
haha oh i hear ya, ock (p.s.: i'm kind of excited, this is my first time being singled out by one of the site's top dogs lol, hope my retort is worthy). Orlando is no where to make friends with law enforcement, though i could probably speak in spanish to Officer G. Commercial holidays aside, i was liking the fact that i didnt have to drive to orlando for pride (havent yet), bc Jax pride was at least a chance to pretend like the gay community had some unity. i remember the first festival i went to had Kimberly Locke, 2nd runner up in season 2 of american idol, which was so symbolic of Jax to get celebrity of such status lol (though i was ecstatic to see her and think she has more talent than the 2 contestants that preceeded her).
i mean half of Mickey's workforce is gay so the contribution is immense to O-town. here in jax it's like we're drowning, and monkeys dressed as lifeguards are throwing us anvils (to quote a Dilbert comic i came across). there's no draw to bring ppl in and plenty of reasons for ppl to leave. in jax's defense, i can acknowledge that there are plenty of reasons to come back.
As a volunteer for First Coast Pride for the last few years, I think it's time to put the truth into this dialogue. It seems that some are just making noise and listening to those who think they know but do not have a clue.
First, First Coast Pride is not the only pride organization in the country to be faced with financial woes. Tampa had to cancel their annual pride event in Feb; Cleveland, OH has had to cancel theirs. Madison, WI canceled theirs in '07; Milwaukee, WI was close to bankruptcy in '03 and has just this year been able to return back to where they were; Seattle Pride has been sued by the City of Seattle for $125,000 for non payment of rental costs to city facilities; Nashville, TN has had to cancel their parade for the last 2 yrs and Fort Lauderdale's Stonewall Festival had a drop in vendors and attendance was down to as much as 10,000 this year. And don't forget, NYC had their parade canceled in '07 and '08.
As for Shane Denmark, an earlier entry stated that Mr. Denmark had put in approx $20,000 of his own money to keep FCP afloat. I know for a fact, this is true. The money raised in '08 paid off everything owed for the '08 parade/festival. The small amount of money taken in since has had to be spent just to pay the basic operation costs and efforts to stimulate money (Miss First Coast Pride Pagent - Monthly Steppin Out Socials)failed to provide any significant funds. Many events over the past couple years, the gay community of Jacksonville did not support. The Masquerade Ball at 5 Points Theatre in '07 was heavily touted with flyers, posters, internet postings, etc. After low ticket sales, a switch to "all you can drink" with ticket purchase, still failed to generate a large crowd and the event ended up in the red. Likewise, another pride event at MOCA during the '07 Pride Week to give the gay community more options, once again, the gay community did not support it and once again it cost the organizaiton. Out In The City newspaper, was a good source of revenue for FCP via the advertising. As the economy headed south, businesses starting cutting back their advertizing dollars and OITC was barely making enough to keep the publication going. Instead of allowing the publication to become debt ridden, the paper stopped being published.
There are numerious, gay owned buisnesses thoroughout the Jax area, however, many of these establishments will not crontribute to the Pride Organization. FCP accepts any amount of financial contributions but for whatever reasons, these businesses decide to ignore their own community. As for the entertainment establishments, only Metro, Bo's, 616 and InCahoots have sponsored the Pride Parade/Festival in yrs past. In '08, InCahoots refused to sponsor due to personal conflicts with an FCP Board Member. Instead of attempting to work out some type of compromise, sponsorship was eliminated, advertising in OITC was discontinued and OITC rejected as a publication to be distributed in the bar. Park Place, AJ's, The Norm and The Boot Rack have not given one red cent to Pride in many yrs. Most or all of these mentioned busineses have literally tore down the Pride Posters of the parade/festival even after their employees allowed FCP volunteers to put them up. Talk about slapping your own people in the face! Ragland's/Fuel has been about the only gay owned store front business to provide sponsorship. If gay owned businesses are going to ignore their own people, that's a pretty sad state of affairs and they should be totally ashamed of themselves. I had one business owner tell me that they were told than in order to provide sponsoship, they had to write a check for at least $2,500. ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE!!!! I told the owner, that whoever said that had no idea what they were talking about and why didn't they come forth and ask members of FCP directly if this was true. That's how these stupid, inane rumors get started, no one talks directly to the people involved and would rather believe heresay and gossip.
If the Jax gay community wants a pride parade/festival and other pride events than I suggest that they get their gay behinds in gear and volunteer, give money (doesn't matter if $1 or $100) and gay businesses need to support their own and quit tryng advance their own agendas whatever that may be.
In conclusion, if anyone truly believes that there has been inappropriate and illegal use of funds from FCP then I suggest they stop this bad mouthing agenda and get to the authorities to find out what has to be done in order for an investigation. It no one is willing to do that, than SHUT UP!!!!!
Just because Nashville didn't have a parade, doesn't mean they were not successful. They had to close to 15,000 attend the events this year, so that is hardly any grounds for calling a failure or dragging them into this.
It costs a whole lot more than $20,000 to do these events and a parade. When you factor in shutting down the street(s) from St. John's Ave beginning at Van Wert to Park and Margaret at 5 points, it's VERY expensive. Security is one of the main factors - there has to be police and security available for the whole stretch of the parade and the afterparty.
It is truly sad that many people feel like the bars have to be the -ONLY- foundation for the gay community. So if they feel like they are getting screwed, then it's a wash. There are clashes with no compromise and it's a lose / lose situation. Then again, I don't know of any bar owner who wants to lose money while doing a fundraiser. If they continued to lose money and all the gay bars were to shut down, where would the community be then???
There are still plenty of organizations who are wanting to raise money for a good cause - such as Holiday Helpers - who raise money to give children and families who are infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS a Christmas. It might not be a 2 or 3 day long party, but it certainly is of importance in demonstrating that the gay community in Jacksonville DOES care about the Jacksonville community as a whole.
For a lot of people the pride festival and parade is just one big mardi gras style party - 'something different' for a change, as opposed to going to the same old tired bars and clubs and seeing the same faces over and over again. That would be for the wrong reason.
My post was to #1 - show that there are many factors which lead to the cancelation, try to diffuse some of the inane rumors and that there are other Pride Organizations throughout the nation that are having their own and/or similar stuggles. I could go on and on about many other problems, conflicts, etc. that have happened the last few years for FCP but that would not accomplish one single, solitary thing. It's time for the Jax Gay Community to come together and find ways where everyone wins. Santa Helpers is one of the best groups in the city. They have always been there to volunteer their services at the Pride Parade/Festival. They worked the beverage booths and the tips received went to help their organization. That's how a community works together for a win/win solution. World Aids Organization is another organization who has always been available. Yet an organization like JASMYN, where the members should be all about helping promote Pride never offers to lend a helping hand. As stated, it's time for the gay community to start working together and get Pride back on it's feet so we, the gay community can be so proud of ourselves. As with any organization, whenver you have a group of people involved, personalities clash and everyone wants to feel as though they've been heard. As in my earlier post, don't sit back and gripe, get out there and provide positive help. Always look for the WIN/WIN SOLUTION. Personal agendas have got to be STOPPED!!!!! We as a community either continue to beat this topic until it's dust or we can stand up and march forward with a new focus of being the best we can be! The choice is up to us all!
Volunteer, I'm curious what the other businesses and organizations would have to say about refusing to or no longer supplying resources for Pride.
I can sense your frustration and assume your tone is only because you are posting on a forum and not interacting with any of the other groups in a face-to-face situation soliciting help.
In your opinion, why has JASMYN not recently participated? I know they used to, because I used to donate my time when I was still in high school, helping make banners, buttons and greeting people at our booth. JASMYN may have had to distance itself from Pride because associating itself with an event that many in this town feels is "in your face" and nothing but a public, glorified orgy with the Village People - again, in leather chaps.
So, what other businesses have been approached to become sponsors? There are gay-friendly businesses that are not bars or clubs. Just because money is tight does not mean there is not a market for sponsors; it just needs to be redefined for the times.
What is the approach when asking for support, whether in volunteer hours or materials or financial donations?
JaxNole - since I was not on the Board of Directors of FCP, and was not part of the solicitation process to obtain funding and volunteering of groups, it would be unfair of me to claim that this one or that one was asked and then refused. All I know is that it was obvious that groups like JASMYN were absent from the volunteer roster.
Santa's Helpers, World Aids, & First Chorus Chorus members were the only organizations as a whole who came forth to offer their services that I am aware of. PFLAG was always a sponsor.
My whole purpose in entrying into this conversation was to try to stop some of these ridiculous rumors that have been circling within the community; on MySpace, Facebook and other social networks. I wanted to let people know that the decision to cancel was multifacet and that Jax is not the only city that their Pride Organzation is having it's struggles and issues. For the Jax gay community, there appears to be a whole lot of apathy and tons of finger pointing and complaining. The past is the past. I only hope that this discussion wakes people up, gets them motivated to bring forth a new focus, a new energy to make our Pride Organiation and events to be the one of the best in the state as well as the nation. It would be great to see ALL gay organizations and ALL gay owned businesses of any kind, and any gay friendly businesses to come forth and work together in securing a phenomenal Pride Organization and events. It's a tall order and there will always be personality clashes and disagreements but the bottom line is to work together and find that WIN/WIN solution. That should be our goal as a community as a whole! As our nation chanted in November, "YES WE CAN!!!"
It also wouldn't hurt to try and get back a HRC chapter here either.
There just needs to be more than a small handful of organizations out there, and a gay community that isn't completely reliant on just the gay bars to raise money. The amount of support that's out there for the size of such a community is uneven, and it's not feasible (and unfair) to the people who own businesses such as a bar or club to have to bear the majority of such an expensive responsibility for these events and parades.
When there are only so many outlets to do such fundraising (the bars) and only so many times and locations to do them (the bars), it creates a tremendous amount of pressure for people who might be gay and want to express their pride, but they also have a business to run. And these business owners have given as much as they can, only to find out that it just "wasn't good enough" because events had to be cancelled. That's a kick in the teeth and all, but really, how much money do you expect 3 or 4 bars and a couple of performers to raise?
With few organizations, it would appear that they are all operating under just one umbrella, but they don't. Not to make it sound like they are 'sub' organizations and whatnot - imagine if there were a hundred groups like Holiday Helpers, and Jax PFLAG, JASMYN, etc... it would not even be far fetched for a lot of organizations to just be your regular, run of the mill clubs for specific interests and hobbies, whether it be gardening, hiking, bicycling, etc.. This being totally reliant on very few sources (majority from bars) for an entire gay community in a city is not going to work.
I won't even begin to get into the fact that it would be great if more non-gays could become involved - but that would just be wishful thinking, wouldn't it?
The truth about these times is that businesses and individuals are just trying to survive. Many things they could give to before the last year have to be turned down because there just isn't the funds available.
The surprising thing about this string to me is that Jacksonville has a gay pride festival to be cancelled. Of course I don't move in those circles and I've been working out of town for a while.
Well Miss Karrissa Wade is shocked at some of the rude and ungracious comments in this thread.
She most certainly is upset about suggestions brought out by Shane Denmark posing as 'Merge' that the article posted on bigbonedandbossy was somehow attacking him.
The First Lady of Jacksonville does not attack the poor, the virtuous or total strangers, and she does not know Mr. Denmark, and could not identify him on the streets if she tried. She has nothing bad to say about him, nor does she have anything bad to say about anyone who has ever worked on the Pride Committee.
She knows that God knows his own, and does not need the help of Miss Wade to judge mankind. She will stand aside and let her Father do his Business.
Miss Wade is also concerned that some in our community have characterized her as 1. Bitter, 2. Mean. 3. Bitchy. 4. A Drag Queen.
She is not a Drag Queen. She is a performer. She has no comment on the first three.
However, the failures of the Pride Committee cannot be pinned so easily on her hair or disposition, no matter how fabulous a wig she might be wearing, While Miss Wade might posess a pair of shoes capable of ending western civilization, she is saving them for a special occasion and they have not been brought out of the box yet.
Therefore she cannot understand why her name has been dragged around town as a contributing factor to the hot water that some people feel they are in over the cancellation of this years Pride Events, or the mystery surrounding the accounting for thousands of dollars of money.
It is not, after all, Miss Wade's money.
It belonged to the entire Community. When Miss Wade needs thousands of dollars, she hangs out in hospitals and waits for older doctors to happen by.
What Miss Wade does care about, and she cares deeply about it, is World Peace, the healing power of love, and a well designed float for her to preside over during the Pride Parade.
Miss Wade is saddened by the obvious effort and the cruelty which has been shown on the part of the entire world to make so many victims out of gay pride volunteers and employees.
As a longtime volunteer in this community for many years, she is only glad that somehow she was spared these feelings of victimization. She has seen her share of donations and volunteered performances, she has carried the costs of many shows and travel expenses, she has helped out with patronage and money and love and care, and most of all a glad heart.
And the good Lord has blessed her. He has filled her heart with the natural gladness that comes with knowing that you have done something for your fellow soldiers. No thanks were necessary, no payment required. No pats on the back, even if they were a little lower. She has always been glad to give her time and her love to the people that have supported and loved her back all of these years.
So she hopes that people know how sad she is that some people have been burdened rather than lightened by their service, and she condemns this terrible fact. Condemns!
No glad and thoughtful servant should be so abused that they come to hate everyone in their own community.
This is a time for healing.
She hopes that everyone on this site will take a moment and project pure rays of love at the Pride Community. She hopes that everyone will join her in a prayer that the mysteriously missing money will be found, that the legal troubles will be over, and that God will bless us all as we celebrate PrideFest 2009, next year, in 2010.
We just need to come together, and move on as one big happy family. As always Miss Wade is ready and waiting to give of her time and effort. But more importantly, of her love and prayers.
We deserve better. And if we can all just take a little responsibility (and hire an accountant) we will have better.
Karrissa Wade
The First Lady of Jacksonville
August 6th, 2009.