Don't Miss Hampton Roads Pride Week: 6/17 - 6/23/2019

June is Pride Month and the transformation of the Pride celebration from the first one I attended hidden in the back of Lafayette Park with only a few hundred people to what we will see in 2019 is nothing short of amazing.  The following is a re-post of my May, 2019, VEER Magazine column that lays out all of the events.  As usual, my husband and I are among the sponsors and we and all of those working so hard a HR Pride hope people will come out and enjoy a week full of activities:

2019 HAMPTON ROADS PRIDE: “Live Your Best Pride”

Typically my columns on Hampton Road Pride’s PrideFest events have been published the same month in which the events have taken place.   The downside has been that many readers may not pick up their copy of VEER when it first hits the newsstands and, as a result, may miss out on the every growing Hampton Roads Pride celebration. Hence, the publishing this column in May rather than waiting until June. For new readers, Hampton Roads Pride’s mission is to unite the LGBT and allied communities in support of inclusion, dignity and equality of all people through nurturing and celebration of LGBT organizations, institutions and culture; by promoting strong community partnerships; and by increasing public affirmation of LGBT individuals through education, advocacy and outreach. 

While LGBT Americans have seen huge strides made over the last decade, including the right to marry same-sex spouses, much work still needs to be done. Here in Virginia, thanks to Republican obstructionists in the House of Delegates, LGBT Virginians continue to find themselves without any non-discrimination protections in the spheres of employment, housing and public accommodation. Worse yet, on the same day that I am finalizing this column, the Trump/Pence regime has announced the release of a new regulation that allows medical professionals and organizations that receive federal funds to refuse service to anyone if they claim serving that person would violate their “deeply-held religious beliefs.”  The number one target of the regulation is the LGBT community, although others will likely also find themselves rejected by healthcare providers claiming to be “godly Christians” who work at organizations that receive federal taxpayer funding.  Sadly, for now, Christian extremists are now exempt from the non-discrimination laws that govern the rest of us. 

Under this cloud of a license to discriminate afforded to the few, Pride month (the month of June each year) and Pride events can offer some who remain in the closet due to fears of job loss if their “secret” is discovered a brief opportunity to join their community under HR Pride’s promotional theme of “open to all.” For allies and potential allies, Pride events are an opportunity for learning and a chance to rebut negative stereotypes disseminated by enemies of equality inasmuch as Pride observances provide a reminder to all outside and within the LGBT community of our relationship with police, larger society, and the laws that historically aimed to dehumanize and/or criminalize us.

This year, with a theme of “Live Your Best Pride,” PrideFest has grown to involve events that truly encompass an entire week. In 2003 – my first Pride event – the event involved a few hundred people tucked away out of sight in a city park.  Now, PrideFest is second only to Harbor Fest in terms of Norfolk’s festival events in Town Point Park.   

Presenting sponsors for this year’s event will again include Decorum Furniture, Newport News Shipbuilding ("NNS"), WHRO-TV and the City of Norfolk.  As noted in a prior column, several years ago, the City of Norfolk came to realize that Hampton Roads Pride and the annual PrideFest event (i) brings significant tourism from across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and parts of North Carolina to the region which translates into revenues to the City and its hotels, merchants and restaurants, and (ii) helps to make Norfolk (and the region) look more progressive and more appealing to Millennials and progressive business.  In addition to the presenting sponsors, numerous banks, insurance companies, businesses and individuals (including my husband and myself) all pledged funds to support the 2019 Pride event.

This year’s music headliner will be the singer JoJo, an acclaimed pop singer who in 2004 at age 13 became the youngest person ever with a # 1 hit on the Billboard charts.  She has been a devoted advocate for LGBT rights and equality.  Jojo has in the past credited the LGBT community with “saving her life” and she has used her celebrity status to raise funds for suicide prevention organizations like The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline and has included LGBT individuals in her music videos.   She has headlined Phoenix Pride and San Diego Pride, and should provide a great experience to PrideFest attendees.  The other headliner will be Crystal Waters, the Focus on 90s dance diva… Her hits include “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and “100 Percent Pure Love.”  She has recently headlined Orlando Pride, Denver Pride, Louisville Pride, Queens Pride, and Hartford Pride.

As grand marshal, for 2019, PrideFest is welcoming Virginia Beach native Angela Hucles, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time World Cup Bronze Medalist for the U.S. Women’s National Team.  Angela Hucles played college soccer at the University of Virginia (1996-1999) where she was a four-year all-ACC player. She currently holds the record at UVA for most overall goals, game-winning goals and total points. In her last year, she was listed as a finalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy. She is a regular speaker on topics of sports leadership, equality, inclusion & safe spaces, anti-bullying, and the power of sport and its impact on personal growth and development.  Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Hucles currently resides in Los Angeles, California with her wife, Meg and son, Huntley.  She is currently a sports analyst FOX Sports.

As noted above, PrideFest 2019 in Hampton Roads is much, much more than a single afternoon party in Town Point Park and has grown to a truly week-long event with venues scattered around Hampton Roads.  The following is a review of some of the varying events and venues which build in size and excitement as the week progresses.

·                     June 11 - Pride Night at Harbor Park with the Norfolk Tides. Enjoy a night OUT at Harbor Park as we celebrate the first Pride Night at Harbor Park!  You can support Hampton Roads Pride as they unite the LGBT community for a night at the ballpark. 
Ticket Promo Code: Pride

·                     Monday, June 17 - Ghent Pride - Party at the Palace Shops (6PM - 10PM).  The Ghent Business Association is proud to announce and support Hampton Roads Pride with the PARTY at The Palace Shops & Station at the start of Pride week.  Decorum Furniture and The Palace Shops & Station is partnering with the Ghent Business Association to bring you a party you won't forget. Music, Beer, Wine, Signature Cocktails, and tasty food from local Restaurants.  Cover charge: $10.00. To buy tickets go to the HR Pride Facebook page and click on this event.

·                     Tuesday, June 18 - LGBTQIA Interfaith Service. Details will follow on the HR Pride webpage and Facebook page.

·                     Wednesday, June 19 - Pride Party on the Peninsula (6PM - 8PM). Party with Pride at the fifth annual Pride Party on the Peninsula. The fun begins at Carousel Park in Downtown Hampton at 6:00PM. Attendees will enjoy complimentary food and beverage, as well as free rides on the historic Hampton Carousel. Later, hop aboard the Miss Hampton II for the annual Drag Down the River Boat Cruise.

·                     Thursday, June 20 - Pride at Chrysler Museum of Art (6PM - 9PM). Explore the Museum's galleries and special exhibitions and celebrate Pride, enjoy live music. Food will also be available at the “grab & go table” and beer, wine, and soda will be available at the cash bar. 

·                     Friday, June 21 – Eighth Annual Pride Block Party at Scope Arena (7PM - 12AM) “Strike a Pose” / tickets via Ticketmaster. Imagine a New York City or LD dance club transported to Norfolk.  Dancing, Drag, Live Art & Magical Performers!  DJ RAYS, Beer, Wine and Craft Cocktails, Tito's Handmade Vodka Miller Light/Yuengling, Barefoot Wine.  Ticket pricing: $13 ticket Before June 17, $16 ticket After June 17.

All Tickets Purchased via Ticketmaster.  All Proceeds Benefit Hampton Roads Pride & its Mission

Saturday, June 22 - PrideFest 2019 featuring JoJo and Crystal Waters.  See the nation's only Pride Boat Parade!  PrideFest is the largest annual LGBT festival in Virginia and the City of Norfolk's largest one-day festival!  PrideFest combines entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for all ages. PrideFest attracts thousands of visitors and brings together local residents, families, community leaders, civic organizations, and businesses to unite the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and allied communities in support of inclusion, dignity and equality of all people. Admission: FREE   For more information, go to the Hampton Roads Pride website: http://www.hamptonroadspride.org/pridefest-2019/

·                     Sunday, 6/23 - First Annual Pride at the Beach at Neptune’s Park (2PM - 7PM).  A luxury, VIP, lounge experience with white linens and fabrics, couches, lounge beds, and exciting DJ. Music at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront!  Entertainment to be announced later in May 2019
Free and open to all 21+ to drink. White beachwear strongly encouraged! Admission: FREE and open to all.

·                     Pride Week at Ocean Breeze - special rate to be offered all of Pride Week with details to follow on the HR Pride website.

It should be a truly amazing week overall.  For those who have attended Pride events in the past, I hope you do so again this year.  For others, I hope you will make a point to try something new and different this year and participate in one or more of the Pride events.  If you do, I suspect you will have a great time and get to understand the diversity and friendliness of the LGBT community and how equality for all strengthens the Hampton Roads community both socially and economically.

Virginian-Pilot: End Political Attacks on Gay Americans

click image to enlarge

Last night's Pride block party - the main lead off to today's Pride Fest in Norfolk's Town Point Park - was an amazing success with over five thousand people attending the event which was held in Norfolk's Scope.  Yes, it was a party (a very good one) but it recognized the fact that LGBT Americans and LGBT Virginians more so than some others remain subject to constant attacks and denigration by politicians seeking to whip up support or to prostitute themselves to the ugliest elements of the Christian Right.  The event also honored the dead and wounded in Orlando after a hate motivated attack where once again religion played a disgusting role.  One amazing aspect of Pride events this year is that America's premier shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding, builder of America's nuclear carrier fleet, is one of the presenting sponsors.  In its lead editorial yesterday, the Virginian Pilot called for politicians - i.e., Republicans - to end their politically motivated attacks on LGBT Americans.  Here are editorial highlights:

While the nation mourns the loss of lives in Orlando, the pain remains especially acute and visceral for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

The shooter chose his target specifically because it was an LGBT-friendly nightclub. The victims were overwhelmingly members of this community. Evidence now suggests that the killer — married twice — may have been uncomfortably on the periphery of that same world.

Living as targets of violence and hatred, being victims of sometimes murderous intolerance, is nothing new for gay Americans. History is replete with instances of gays and lesbians brutalized for who they are or marginalized for political expediency.

Consider this an opportunity for America to do better.

[T]his specific horror represents the confluence of a great many political and social issues, and proposed solutions inspire overheated debate.

So here’s one straightforward suggestion: The nation, especially elected leaders with powerful positions of influence, should take this opportunity to affirm the equality of LGBT Americans — and stop using them as a target for political gain.

Until relatively recently, most LGBT Americans lived in the shadows, fearing the repercussions of being who they are. They feared ostracization and consequences legal, financial and physical due only to their sexual preference or gender identity.

That began to change with the Stonewall riots of 1969, generally considered the beginning of the modern LGBT movement. But, as with most civil rights movements, the transition to acceptance was achingly slow, replete with setbacks and suffering.

It wasn’t until 2003 that the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law prohibiting certain types of intimate, consensual sex — though many such statutes remain on the books.

Over the years, dog-whistle and direct attacks on gay people have fueled successful presidential campaigns and turned state legislatures. Even same-sex marriage, settled by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, remains a flashpoint in many states, especially across the South, and especially in places where politicians think it gives them some advantage.

Republicans in North Carolina are hoping to tread this same homophobic path in the coming general election, fearful of a voter backlash against retrograde policies and nanny-state meddling in matters of the heart and bedroom. They once again intend to use gay people as a political tool for re-election.

Such nonsense has to stop. The laws, the politicking, the dog-whistles and gutter rhetoric. LGBT citizens are, first and foremost, Americans, deserving of equal protection under the law and all the rights endowed to them by the Constitution.

[T]hose who employ these cynical and divisive attacks should be condemned for doing so — and those who respond favorably to such prejudice should be ashamed. Demonizing LGBT citizens has no place in our politics, and all who seek public office should recognize that, now more than ever.

This message, of course, will fall on deaf ears among Republicans and the Christofascists.  

The 11-Year-Old Who Rocked Hampton Roads Pride Block Party

I will be posted photos shortly from yesterday's PrideFest event which unfortunately had to close early due to violent thunderstorms that moved into the area halfway through the event. However, a friend on the Pride Board just shared this Youtube video that I found very touching.  What is ironic is that at one point, we were dancing close to him.  He was having a ball.  This is his mother's post that goes with the video:

My son Quin is 11, he has Asperger Syndrome and has been bullied for being different. When he heard we were going to the Pride Block Party at the Scope Center, here in Norfolk, Virginia, to celebrate the passage of national equal marriage he asked to come. "I relate to not being accepted, bullied and having to not be who you really are," he said. "I'm happy the law is changed. I'm happy people can be who they really are and love who they really love. Let's party!"
And he sure did.

Quin's enthusism and happiness was shared by the thousands of others who were at the block party.  It was an amazing event.  There was far more joy and kindness towards others at the event than what you see in most church services, especially Southern Baptist services, I suspect.

HR Pride Block Party - Gays Have Come a Long Way

A thorn between two roses

Last night's HR Pride  Block Party which was moved to Scope - Norfolk's concert and sports arena - because of threatening weather.  The event was so over the top compared to anything ever seen before outside of the actual PrideFest event in Town Point Park.  Perhaps because of yesterday's historic marriage ruling, people may have been in an extra celebratory mood.  Whatever the reason, the place was packed with thousands of people, a huge dance floor, great music, a wonderful decor - including a full moon and "moonlit" seating areas for those not wanting to dance - and, of course, adult refreshments.  One thing that was amazing is how the city of Norfolk stepped up and made Scope available on basically a day's notice.  The entire event was something that no one in the LGBT community would have imagined ever being held in Norfolk just five to ten years ago, especially with massive cooperation with the city.     While there, I had the opportunity to speak with the Grand Marshal for today's event, MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts (who was a local reporter years ago) and his husband, Patrick.

The weather forecast today is less than wonderful but the husband and I will be aboard the American Rover for the PrideFest boat parade - the only one in America - with friends before spending the afternoon at PrideFest.  I encourage local readers to attend.  More details can be found here. 

This year's Pride celebration has truly turned into a Pride week with events virtually every day all week.  Just 12 years ago when I attended my first Hampton Roads Pride, the event was tucked back out of sight in a Norfolk city park with the number of attendees being in the hundreds.  Now, we are celebrating in Norfolk's premier waterfront venue and the attendees number in the many thousands.  We have truly come a long way in Norfolk and across the nation.

On a side note, one of my daughters posted this on her Facebook page and really touched me:

This is probably not the most mature thing but....if you don't agree with today's ruling please either go ahead and unfriend yourself, or comment so I can unfriend you. Today's ruling was just the first step of many needed to provide our LGBTQ brothers and sisters with the rights they are due.

The Christofascists and Republican Party are truly alienating the Millennials with their anti-gay animus and bigotry. 

HR Pride Block Party - Change of Venue!!

Special announcement: Due to looming bad weather weather conditions, the HR Pride Block Party scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2015, from 7:00 to 11:59PM will now be at Scope located at the corner of St. Paul's Bouevard and Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia! Rain or shine! Please attend - it will be a  PARTY!  Here are more details (full details on the Pride week schedule are here):

Be a part of the Positivity as we Celebrate Unity, Equality, and Diversity.

Ascend with us!

Let's Fly together!

Virginia Beach Favorite, DJ RAYS Returns!

Beer, Bubbles, and Craft Cocktails!

Delicious Eats by Brick House Diner!

$10 Donation @ The Door

All proceeds benefit Hampton Roads Pride and it's mission.

All Ages Welcome