February 17th, 2011
I once asked a reluctant professor for a make-up Calculus test which had been scheduled on Yom Kippur. Surprised by his resistance, I uttered in exasperation, “You wouldn’t have scheduled a test on Christmas.” Defensively he replied, “Of course not, school is not in session.”
It is a privilege to have one’s heritage, gender, race, class, faith or sexual orientation represented as normative in the mainstream culture. While there is richness in distinction from the norm, it often alienates and creates conflict between a person and her community and conflict within himself.
As American Queer Jews, we live with at least three distinct identities that each have a cultural aspect to them which frequently collide and rarely coalesce. Our Pride celebration is one of the places where one hopes to celebrate the richness of all of one’s identities. For many Jews, the scheduling of Pride on Yom Kippur creates a conflict of identities and painfully highlights our difference. It raises the question that many people feel: Am I a valued and a legitimate member of the LGBTQ community?
When I heard the rumor that Pride weekend had been scheduled and it overlapped with Yom Kippur, I said to those around me, “Well, I guess that’s going to change.” I prepared myself to wade through the defensiveness. I prepared myself to listen to the privileged positions. I prepared myself to hear the benign ignorance. Most of all, I prepared to make a much better argument this time than to my college professor.
Two things happened. First, I recognized that my initial response lacked curiosity. It lacked humility by making assumptions of how the decision was made and how it would be justified. In reflection, I felt I needed to be more open. Could I have forgotten to a check a calendar for an event? Yes. Do I make mistakes? Yes. Are there blind spots where I have privilege and ignorance? Yes.
This did not change my need to communicate the significance of this oversight, but it modulated my tone. I remembered the folks at Pride are my community too. I had to think about how I wanted to engage my communities when they are in conflict. The Jewish value of dan caf z’chut, judge with favorable merit, reminded me to begin the conversation giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Secondly, [Pride Executive Director] James Sheffield and [Pride Board Chair] Cain Williamson’s response to me was earnest, contrite and forthcoming. They owned their mistake and expressed regret and embarrassment. Even with modifications, they knew this was not something that would easily be forgotten or undone. We met each other with concern and openness. We quickly settled on convening a larger group of LGBTQ Jews to discuss options.
At that meeting we explored the possibilities of moving the date for quite a while. As we looked at each obstacle that impeded a possible move, we began to think of how to live with this unfortunate overlap. People in the room began to work together to see how some aspect of Pride could be salvaged for the LGBTQ Jewish community. In part, it will mean elevating activities that occur during the traditional Pride month of June and to bolster the parts of Pride that do not conflict and create new opportunities.
We recognized that Yom Kippur means different things to different Jews. Some solutions that may be off-putting to some Jews will appeal to others. After making the mistake of overlooking the Jewish community, none of us wanted to worsen it by representing Jews as a monolith. Certainly Bet Haverim does not speak for all LGBTQ Jews, nor do I represent all of our members. I imagine as more people express their ideas Pride will be able to provide for the far-reaching needs of our diverse community.
For me Yom Kippur takes precedence over everything. When Yom Kippur fell on my 16th birthday, as much as I complained about it, I knew I would not have missed services, even if my parents had allowed me to get my driver’s license on that day.
While the purpose of each observance seems contrary to the other, there are ways to bring in spiritual aspects of Pride into the reflection, cleansing, and realigning of Yom Kippur. I invite the community, particularly LGBT Jews to spend Yom Kippur with us.
Though I remain disappointed, I grow clearer that the day of Yom Kippur itself instructs us how to respond to the most challenging moments in life. Yom Kippur dictates us to:
• Ask for forgiveness
• Forgive in the face of true remorse
• Cultivate humility and gratitude
• Be honest
• Seek restoration and healing
• Let compassion and mercy temper justice
• Do not give into temptation
• Aspire to be one’s best self
The hardest part of Yom Kippur is realizing that when we stand communally recounting our transgressions, we do so because each of us shares the responsibility for mistakes made. We are accountable for each other’s well being. This is true for my Jewish community and my Queer community.
We read on Yom Kippur from Chapter 58 in Isaiah, where it says that if we challenge oppression, if we ensure that people do not go hungry, if we respond to our kin in need , turn away from manipulation and evil speech, then we will be called the repairers of brokenness and restorers of the path. This is Yom Kippur’s compass directing us how to live at our best.
I hope we can repair and restore. Learning from the very values of Yom Kippur, I realize that I can listen to the pain of my community and then work to make this oversight and overlap meaningful. Won’t you join me?
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2011
September 28th, 2010
120 Individuals Selected to Serve in 3 Categories
The 2010 Atlanta Pride Committee announced today that the Parade will feature 3 Grand Marshal Categories. Each category will feature 40 individuals who have served the LGBTQ community of Georgia in exemplary ways, in honor of Atlanta Pride’s 40th Anniversary. “As much as this is an opportunity to honor selected individuals, it is also an opportunity to provide our patrons a visual of how expansive our movement really is, and to see that there are a vast number of people working on their behalf,” said JP Sheffield, Atlanta Pride Executive Director.
“Compiling a list of 120 Grand Marshals was no small task, but we feel like the people selected are a great representation of our City and State. Even though it meant releasing these names later than usual, the end product is worth the wait.” Sheffield continued, “What we’ve done is effectively create a march within the parade.”
This is the first time that straight allies will also be able to carry the title “Grand Marshal.” In years past, that designation was limited to individuals within the LGBTQ community, while straight allies were able to become “Honorary Marshals.”
Atlanta Pride would like to thank Georgia Equality and the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition for their help in pulling together these lists. Please note, honorees to not appear in any specific order.
Grand Marshal Categories:
The Legislative 40: Individuals that have worked to effect change for LGBTQ people in the realm of statewide political action and/or legislative initiatives. These individuals may be or have been members of the Georgia General Assembly, lobbyists at the State Capitol, advocates for legislative initiatives, etc. These individuals are representative of the multiple layers of involvement necessary to have positive outcomes at the state level.
Legislative 40
1. Hon. Alex Wan
2. Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan
3. Hon. Brian Bates
4. Hon. Cathy Woolard
5. Ed Stansell
6. Gil Robinson
7. Jamie Ensley
8. Jamie Roberts
9. Jeff Cleghorn
10. Jerry Gonzalez
11. Commissioner Joan Garner
12. Julianna Illari
13. Rep. Karla Drenner
14. Kathleen Womack
15. Rep. Kathy Ashe
16. Ken Britt
17. Kyle Williams
18. Hon. Lance Rhodes
19. Larry Pellegrini
20. Lawrie Demorest
21. Linda Lowe
22. Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
23. Rep. Mike Jacobs
24. Monica Helms
25. Sen. Nan Orrock
26. Rep. Pat Gardner
27. Rep. Pedro Marin
28. Rep. Simone Bell
29. Tim Cairl
30. Sen. Vincent Fort
31. Elizabeth Johnston
32. Harry Knox
33. Judy Colbs
34. Hon. Kathie deNobriga
35. Rep. Tyrone Brooks
36. Hon. Michelle Bruce
37. Paul Horning
38. Rep. Stephanie Benfield
39. Susan Saleska Hamilton
40. Kay Young (Posthumous)
The Education 40: Individuals that have worked to effect change for LGBTQ people in the realm of public education in Georgia. These individuals may be or have been teachers, school counselors, school board members, PTA members, students, parents, etc. These individuals advocate or have advocated for LGBTQ students (or perceived LGBTQ students), students with LGBTQ parents, and/or school LGBTQ faculty/staff.
1. Maru Gonzalez, M.Ed
2. Anneliese A. Singh, PhD, LPC
3. Mr. Jesse McNulty, M.Ed
4. Dr. Corey W. Johnson
5. Jeannie Senter (MS, PT)
6. Dale Merkle (PhD)
7. Dr. Shannon J. Miller
8. Jillian Ford
9. Austin Laufersweiler
10. Irma Starr Ph.D
11. Jonah Berkowitz, Ed.S.
12. Lenore Katz
13. Bob Hill
14. Emily Graybill, Ed.S.
15. Holiday Simmons
16. Jessica “Jetta” Allen
17. Susana Edith Soto
18. Matt LeBrun
19. Alex Oxford
20. Emily Reed
21. Derrick Martin
22. Billiee Pendleton-Parker
23. JD Woodward
24. Michael Brian Law
25. Joel Kadish
26. Ellen Manuel, M.Ed., NCC
27. Tim DeLoach, M.Ed
28. Babs Bell Hajdusiewicz, Ms.Ed.
29.
30.
31. Abby Drue
32. Ken Jackson
33. Hollande Levinson
34. Krista Hilton, M.Ed
35. Cat Morillas
36. Terence McPhaul, M.A., N.S.A.C.
37. Shelley Rose
38. Gabriel Haggray
39. Jennifer Miracle
40. Yancey Gulley
The Community Builder 40: Individuals that have worked to effect change from within the LGBTQ community. These individuals may be or have been exemplary community volunteers, service project leaders, organization founders or leaders, community historians or educators, grassroots organizers, etc. These individuals often go without any broad recognition, but do the work anyway, because they are dedicated to a cause. Together, they fuel the larger movement with their dedication and service to a wide variety of community needs. APC is still in the process of contacting and confirming the Community Builder 40. The full list will be published shortly on the Atlanta Pride website.
Posthumous Honorees include:
1. Robert Eads (Southern Comfort/Died after being refused medical treatment because he was trans)
2. Greg Barrett (APC)
3. Billy Jones (1960’s Atlanta Drag Queen)
4. Charlie St. John (Journalist, Organized first Pride March)
5. Lloyd E. Russell (Activist/Community Endowment)
6. Thelma Natalie Troia (Founder, Armorettes)
7. Michael Hardwick (Bowers V. Hardwick)
The Atlanta Pride Festival, organized by the non-profit Atlanta Pride Committee, promotes unity, visibility and self-esteem among lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons. The 2010 celebration opens Oct. 9 in Piedmont Park. Atlanta Pride Sponsors include Coca-Cola, Bud Light, Delta Airlines, The GA Voice, Smirnoff, Georgia Aquarium, Grady Medical, Wells Fargo, Fenuxe Magazine, Passport Magazine and many others.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2010
September 8th, 2010
17 Performers from Varying Genres Will Perform at This Year’s Festival
Atlanta Pride will feature 17 different artists representing genres from hip-hop and R&B to country and rock during this year’s festival. Artists will include Kimberley Locke, Antigone Rising, Niki Haris, MEN and more. The festival will take place October 9th-10th at Piedmont Park and admission is free to the public.
View the complete entertainment schedule here.
Each year, Atlanta Pride’s entertainment committee works hard to bring together an entertainment lineup that will offer music selections spanning a wide variety of genres. Over 150 artists throughout the country submitted applications to perform at the 40th Atlanta Pride Festival. After narrowing the number down to 17 performers, the entertainment committee is proud to present its selection of talent to festival-goers.
The Atlanta Pride Festival, organized by the non-profit Atlanta Pride Committee, promotes unity, visibility and self-esteem among lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons. The 2010 celebration opens Oct. 9 in Piedmont Park. Atlanta Pride Sponsors include Coca-Cola, Bud Light, Delta Airlines, The GA Voice, Smirnoff, Georgia Aquarium, Grady Medical, Wells Fargo, Fenuxe Magazine, Passport Magazine and many others.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2010
September 7th, 2010
The Atlanta Pride Committee is pleased to announce the headliner for Saturday, October 9 at the 2010 Atlanta Pride Festival will be #1 Billboard recording artist Kimberley Locke.
Locke rose to fame during the second season of “American Idol” and came in third place following Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. She has gone on to make a name for herself as a dance/pop artist, charting eight Billboard number one hits, three from the Dance/Club Charts.
“Ever since season two of ‘American Idol,’ I have loved her,” said Tony Kearny, one of the Programming Co-chairs from the Atlanta Pride Festival Committee. “Out of Clay, Ruben, and Kimberley, she should have the longest running career! From ‘Eighth World Wonder’ to ‘Band of Gold’ to today’s ‘Strobelight,’ Kimberley is still blowing everyone away with her vocals. A diva to the gays, she is going to blow us away at Atlanta Pride.”
In addition to her appearance on “Idol,” Locke appeared on “Celebrity Fit Club” and is currently attached to host and executive produce “Making the Curve,” a developmental reality show competition that will put together a supergroup of plus-sized women, which has garnered major interest from several networks.
Locke is also well-know to her commitment to charities focused on HIV prevention, including Camp Heartland (a national non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of children and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS), the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, YouthAIDS, and the Davy Foundation. She was recognized with the Red Ribbon Award in 2007 for her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist.
Stay tuned for the next exciting talent announcement for the 2010 Atlanta Pride Festival.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2010
September 6th, 2010
Today, the Atlanta Pride Committee announced the Official Nightlife Lineup for Pride Weekend. Parties include Atlanta staples, Jungle Club and Chris Coleman, along with Atlanta’s largest women’s party.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented club entertainment promoters in the City,” said APC Executive Director, JP Sheffield. “Adding an after party to the Friday night lineup and an official closing party to Sunday helps round out the weekend, as well as provide us with the opportunity to partner with local businesses,” Sheffield added.
Fiesta Pride and Closing Party are both new events to the Atlanta Pride roster, while the Peach Party has been a long standing event on the Calendar. In 2009 with the move to October, hours of the Atlanta Pride Festival were shortened from a closing time of 11pm to a closing time of 9pm. The new closing time allows for the addition of these post-festival parties. Sheffield points out, “In the past, we had a hard time promoting club events, because they usually started before our event ended. Now that we have very little crossover into the nightlife hours, we have the ability to form these partnerships.”
View the full calendar of nightlife events here.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2010
