Kate,
A thriving heritage depends on two things: understanding the past and valuing it to create a fantastic future. Every June we are caught up in a whirlwind of PRIDE activities, but here in NYC, I typically find little evidence of our community’s heritage whatsoever.
It’s odd, then, that the organization that manages NYC Pride is in fact called Heritage of Pride. One would assume that a visit to their website would lead you to information about the history of the queer rights movement in New York, or perhaps the issues that have brought this group of people together. Instead you see a calendar of events for 2011 – which is great for early planning – along with a Pride Store, a donate button, and a list of corporate sponsors. Bearing this in mind, what isn’t surprising is that the organization has now shortened its name to HOP and rebranded itself as New York City Pride. They have scrubbed away heritage! It’s really a logical shift though considering the complete absence of heritage from the work that they do.
Now, I’m not naive. I know that events cost money and I get that. But wouldn’t it be great to have a guerilla pride that was just a parade permit and street performers, funded by the citizens of NYC? When I see Delta, Bud Light, and Wachovia plastered at these events and on the web, I just can’t trust it. Sure there may be fine and lovely people at these companies who want to support a cause, but at the end of the day I can’t help but feel like there’s an ulterior motive at work. They have a business agenda. This isn’t about celebrating a culture and community’s heritage. It’s about selling more Tylenol PM and Kiehl’s products.
Looking back on our June challenges, your exhibition and my flash mob, I feel true, authentic pride in the honesty of our efforts. It was so liberating to bring people together and revel in my own gayness in Union Square in a way that didn’t feel tainted by market values. My flash mob didn’t affect thousands of people, but a group of 25 plus tons of passersby were able to experience the freedom and joy of expressing whoever you are without limits. And it cost next to nothing! It’s in that spirit that Christopher Street Liberation Day began. How many of today’s LGBT New Yorkers even know what that day is?
Thank you again for pushing me to take on that challenge. The creative process and final result represents our community’s true heritage and its power. Most importantly, it all makes me feel so proud.
B
