As I have stated before, I have been pleasantly surprised by the tolerance that I have found in the City of Hampton, Virginia, since moving in with the boyfriend. Yes, the City has its share of red necks and homophobes to be sure, but the educated and upper classes seem much more tolerant than is the case say in Virginia Beach, a GOP bastion which is home to Pat Robertson's Regent University and the Christian Broadcasting Network. With the Hampton about to celebrate its 400th anniversary - it is the oldest continuous English speaking municipality in the USA - it seems some within the city want to launch the city's fifth century on the cutting edge. As the flyer above (click the image to enlarge) indicates the city will host a Diversity/Pride event on June 19, 2010 at a park in downtown Hampton. Following the Pride event will be a block party/restaurant event in old downtown Hampton which has a number of great restaurants located in historic buildings. *
I met with staff from the Department of Parks and Recreation this morning as a representative of Hampton Roads Pride to learn what the City is proposing. To my knowledge, it is the first time EVER that a local city has recognized the existence of the LGBT community and sought to put on an event for our community. Obviously, I will be disseminating information to all of the LGBT organizations in the area and seeking to garner widespread support for the Hampton event. Indeed, since Hampton Roads Pride's Out in the Park event is scheduled for the following weekend, the area can truly have a "pride week."
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I will post additional information as it becomes and anyone interested in getting involved in either the Hampton or Out in the Park event in Chesapeake, please drop me an e-mail. Also, feel free to call the information number on the flyer.
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