Presidential Proclamation--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

Hey Tom! Got your email :) Very nice!

Btw, found this today. Thought you'd smile. When I read it I was like "Shock the Monkey" Who would have thought....St. Pete? Where I live now? Realllllyyyyy? Nah uh. No way. But, I'll go see for myself tomorrow ;)

Where might you expect to find the largest Pride celebration in Florida? You may be surprised to learn that it's not in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or even Orlando. Rather, Gay Pride St. Petersburg, known as "Pride in Paradise," throws the Sunshine State's biggest Pride event. What began with a modest tally of some 13,000 attendees in 2003 has blossomed into a major festival, now drawing in excess of 75,000 participants and spectators. St. Pete Pride takes place at the end of June (June 26, 2010) and draws folks from throughout the St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and St. Pete Beaches region.

The major events of St. Pete Pride take place on Saturday, June 26. The action begins on Saturday morning with the St. Pete Pride Promenade at 10 am. This official St. Pete Pride parade runs through the city's hip Grand Central District, from 20th to 28th streets.

Following the parade, the St. Pete Pride Street Festival takes place from 11 am until 4 pm. The festival, with nearly 300 vendors, food providers, and GLBT organizations, runs along Central Avenue between 21st and 28th streets.

(All this takes place literally 10 mins from my house on Treasure Island. I cross the Causeway and I'm on Central Avenue)

Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Watermark for details. Also take a look at the excellent GLBT site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the St. Petersburg & Clearwater CVB.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-petersburg-mayor-to-attend-gay-pride-parade-to-get-sense-of-atmospherepp/1104477

Huggles! Have a blast tomorrow!

There were a few, but got through them. Ending up staying down in the Twin Cities from Fri evening to Mon morning.

Is it consecutive days only or two weeks in total days throughout the month?

Two weeks total, all receive a 14 slot punch card to be punched each day of celebration. It's the law.

Tom has laid down the law. Bootstraps, your law is squashed.

On a more serious note, I wonder if it's more or less freeing being bisexual. Double the dating opportunities, but also double the rejection possibilities. Seems like bisexuals kind of get left out of the criticism, or do they just get lumped into the gay category and criticized just the same? BTW, I'm sure bis don't feel left out in this sense at all, just seems all the focus goes onto homosexuals, just wondering what the reality is.

All serious questions, even if they sound dumb (I'm sorry if they are).

I never had any feelings toward women

Really? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for gay rights. I think it's despicable that any group of people don't have the same rights as any other group of people. But to be perfectly honest I have always seen it as kind of a preference. Maybe it's my own deep prejudice, maybe it's because boobs or so much fun :) but I've never been able to fully wrap my head around a gay guy that was totally not attracted to women.

So you hit puberty and it was easy...just men?

Thanks Tom for answering best you could. =) Well, I've had my bi sexual tendencies, but never considered myself bi at all. I like to try things out, experiment, but like you Tom, it's all about the guys. ;)

BUT I do agree with Bryan-684618 boobs are fun, mine or other girls'. =P

It was kind of funny reading 'drag kings,' as I don't think I've ever heard them called that before, but makes sense. Sadly, they seemed over shadowed by the drag queens and that raises another question for me of what that is so. Why has the drag queen been so popularized and the drag king not. Is it the same rationale that lesbians are okay and gay men are not? Is it the female aspect that smooths it over?

Another question: Lesbian is specifically a homosexual woman, what is the term for specifically homosexual man? I realize the community is the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans-gendered community, so would gay specifically be meaning homosexual men? As I understand it and have been using gay to refer to homosexuals in general, have I been using the term incorrectly? Or are the men just getting gipped (sp?) out of a separate title (said jokingly, of course)?

Awesome. Those were all the kind of thoughts I had but was holding back.

Why is it more ok for women to be gay or bi-sexual than it is for men to be gay or by-sexual?

Here is what I've always thought. It comes down to sexuality. #1 Ingredient for women to be sexy (as a social norm) is to be soft, gentle, delicate etc etc. #1 Ingredient for a man to be sexy (as a social norm) is to be tough, strong, hard etc etc. So straight men look at gay guys and they don't recognize their social norm. Straight women look at gay girls and they recognize their social norm. Because such a large percentage of the population has never and will never meet a gay person in their lifetime (or they will and just won't know it) all they have to base their social norm on is TV and Movies.

on the subject of why it's ok for women to be lesbian or bi, and why men like it so much, i think i can answer that very simply: 1+1=2. i say that as a man myself, although i have bi tendencies (it is hard to find a bi/gay man who is interested in an overweight man with a beard, unfortunately.)

A lot of straight guys are afraid of gays. Just look at how most of the threesomes are two girls and a guy. If a girl suggests that two guys and a girl makes more sense - which it really does, because girls can come many more times than guys - the guys are all like "ewww, his balls will touch mine and I'll be gay, or people will think I'm gay." Part of it may be that straight girls can recognize the beauty of a female body even if we aren't bi or gay, where straight guys might feel competitive - i.e. "my pecs are better" or "dammit his are better" but would never outright admit another guy had a hot body.

I used to be, when I was a naive 20 year old guy from suburban Detroit who moved to Miami in 1970. Having a lady friend who had a plethora of gay friends who were funny, fun, kind and opened my eyes and changed that. We are all brothers and sisters, straight, gay, what have you. It is long past time the US grew up and recognised that and ended discrimination for all.

Tom W.

Just out of curiousity, why would it be a problem "here"? I was under the impression that Newsvine was a site where folks could go to debate the issues that affect all of us. Have you never raised a voice in opposition or dissent in someone else's seed?

Whatever... Delete my post... Confirm your statement that opposing viewpoints are not welcome here...

Your approval or disapproval of my words does not change the point of my post... There are more momentous and life-altering dilemmas facing our country that ALL AMERICANS should be concerned with at the moment, particular the president.

The results of your own poll are heartening, however.

The difference is that the government isn't supposed to be in the business of endorsing religion. It is supposed to be making sure that everyone has the same rights. Last time I looked, you weren't forbidden to marry at the justice of the peace because you were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pastafarian, or whatever. And employers are forbidden to discriminate based on religion. I'm all for prayer, but that's between me and who/whatever I believe in, and has nothing to do with the government.

But a single day of prayer a year for a group (those who practice any religion or belief system that incorporates prayer) and the "tolerant" go nuts in frothing at the mouth against it.

Because a day of prayer is unconstitutional, as prayer is a religious activity which the government has no right to endorse.

The difference is that the government isn't supposed to be in the business of endorsing religion.

True! Hello Separation of church and state!

I am indeed speaking of the Day of Prayer.

As for who the tolerant are: they are the ones who support the freedoms and values of everyone and everything, do not feel it is right or fair to suppress or oppress or in any way discriminate against people individually or via a specific group identity....up and until it has to do with religious expression in general and Christianity specifically even more so than other belief systems. This is not limited to or solely defined by one's political party.

I don't want this article getting derailed by the whole "christian suppression" scheme, when we are here to celebrate the first proclamation by a president.

This was nice a article to read and a small step forward, now start repealing DADT!

I would go ahead and have a national prayer day, but it is up to an individual politician if they want to issue something supporting that or not, or show up or not!

The problem is, a National Day of Prayer is codefied into law, which makes it unconstitutional.

yes, indeed - thank you, President Obama...and thank you, Tom, for sharing this on the vine!

I really have to thank my congress person who sent me the e-mail with the link and I wonder how many even know that the POTUS did this?

That was thoughtful of your congress person. I did not know about this until I read your article. Nice work Tom.

Wouldnt it be rich if Barack Obama dressed in drag with say a little blue eye shadow and marched ....Oh now that would be RICH....Oh and I think actions speak louder than words

Why would he do that, and what would those actions be saying?

Show his feminine side

Show his feminine side

Metrosexual maybe?

My congressperson is Byrd. I doubt if he knows what day it is, much less what POTUS did today.

Are you serious? Move along it if it offends you.

How is it offensive?

Nothing in the CoH says you can't write or post an article just because it offends someone. I doubt if too many articles would stay up if that were the case, since almost everything offends somebody out there.

About 2 hours, but there's a post-party in the Civic Center and the Castro. I was hoping there would be a verdict in the Prop 8 trial this week (a college friend, Paul, is one of the plantiffs) but no dice so far, Tom.

Sigh. The Castro. Pride Day in SF.

TJG enjoy it for me!

And I was hoping to see a verdict as well. Crossing fingers!

OMG I just remembered there was this awesome Thai restaurant on 17th right on the corner. I forgot the name. Dammit! Why that jumped into my mind....

Tom I hope you have a blast!

Kudos to Obama. As usual he rises above and forges the path and so often it is a path blocked in the past by ignorance, politics and fear of that which is different. Congratulations on the month. It is at least a positive and firm step in the right direction. Many happy celebrations!!!

Go for it, contact your senator and represenatives and try to get it pushed. Then for parades go and get the necessary permits and have a great time.

Sitting there doing nothing but complaining about why it isn't there won't get it done.

Why not?

If you don't want to celebrate then don't, it is really just that easy. If you don't care, then it is just another month of the year.

My thoughts are that gays are the only group in which there are still legalized prejudices against. Because of that, it seems necessary to make people aware of the fact that gays are also people and deserving of the same rights as everybody else. Once that happens, there would be no reason for a gay pride month, but for now, people need to understand that gays will be around just like blacks, whites, hispanics, females, christians, atheists, jews, etc...Unfortunately, it's basically come to a head, so to speak. If people did away with the hatred and animosity, things like this wouldn't even be a factor.

The United States has a history of declaring special recognition for a week or a month for issues in the country that need special attention, especially to address discrimination or help the public gain a greater understanding of an issue that is typically not well understood.

This is the principle behind Black History Month and many others. Of course, some are more controversial, which is why many are aware of some of the national months and not aware of the others. For example, President Reagan declared July as National Icecream Month.

We need a LGBT Pride MONTH proclaimed by the President, but we cannot have a national DAY of prayer. ROFL. That is rich.

And if sexual orientation comes at birth, what is there to be 'proud' about? Pride is for accomplishments, not happenstances.

I have nothing against gays etc. , but let's cut back the pc in this country before we become even more divided than we already are.

My thoughts are that gays are the only group in which there are still legalized prejudices against.

I believe it is AGAINST the law to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation.

Perhaps you are referring to marriage, which is defined as a union between a MAN and a WOMAN.

Perhaps you are referring to marriage, which is defined as a union between a MAN and a WOMAN.

This definition was established in 1996 to discriminate against a group of people. It's high time that the redefinition of marriage be ended and reverted back to the time before there was a law explicitly excluding homosexuals from the same rights as everyone else.

JohnRussell said

I'm getting teary eyed and emotional just thinking about a month dedicated to honoring the police and firemen, railroad workers and assembly line workers, the beer bellied guys who love to play with their kids and watch sports and coach little league and snow plow every house on the block.

You do realise you are describing gay people too?

JohnRussell,

And if sexual orientation comes at birth, what is there to be 'proud' about? Pride is for accomplishments, not happenstances.

if american citizenship comes at birth, then what is there to be 'proud' about? pride is for accomplishments, not happenstances. so you must not be proud to be an american, where at least you know you're free. you must not forget the men (and women) who died, who gave that right to you. and you won't even stand up next to us to defend her still today. 'cause there's alot of doubt that you love this land, be-damned your U.S.A.

one can be proud of the way they were born as a human, as much as one can be proud of what they accomplish in life (and frankly, being the only sperm out of a million or so that makes it to the egg is one damned righteous thing to be proud of!). you need to brush up on your definition of pride, sir. from dictionary.com:

a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

the state or feeling of being proud

a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem

pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself: civic pride.

JohnRussell

My thoughts are that gays are the only group in which there are still legalized prejudices against.

I believe it is AGAINST the law to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation.

Perhaps you are referring to marriage, which is defined as a union between a MAN and a WOMAN.

Sorry your so wrong, John I can be fired or thrown out of my rented home just for being gay in Ohio .... two of the biggies that come to mind.

You voted for him the first time, it seems. Did you really vote for a person that you honestly think is not capable of multitasking?

you're right. we shouldn't have given the blackies rights either, there was too much going on in the country at that time. pandering to racial politics is what that was. let them be persecuted and drink from different fountains, just like we should let the homos be persecuted and not allowed to marry or go to a bar without getting beaten by some drunk homophobic white boy. no, this president we voted for who has two wars, a failing economy, the issue of rights for people that are different from the norm, a union that's falling apart because no one can agree to disagree and just compromise, an oil spill, and a plethora of other problems, should be expected to fix everything within the first year. every president should. bush found the al-qaeda leaders and brought them to justice within the first week of their attack on the u.s., roosevelt brought the axis to justice within a month, and lincoln ended the civil war in just a couple hours.

It's not sexual agenda, but equal rights. Of those jobless americans you speak of many are lucky enough to be married and still have medical coverage and some security due to their husband or wife still having a job. So how many of those jobless americans are homosexuals, but are not afforded the same benefits and securities? There are several huge problems going on in the US right now, as there always will be, and I, for one, am glad our president is able to address multiple issues concurrently.

Cheers Tom, glad you can enjoy some festivities there, Germany doesn´t quite have June as their month. I think it´s around August or September in Munich.

Snapdragons wrote:

Of course, as a member of the straight majority on this issue, I am perhaps unqualified to address the topic from the perspective of someone who feels discriminated against concerning sexual issues--

They're not sexual issues; they're equality issues.

but frankly, I'm tired of constantly being bombarded in the media and in news headlines with complaints of alleged mistreatment by sexual minority groups who are actually quite well treated in the United States

You've apparently missed the entire discussion about marriage.

i'm straight as well, with the exception of a few crushes on boys i had in high school and college, but never anything physical. i believe it's a way you're born, not a choice, because of the amount of homosexuals i've known in my life. would someone CHOOSE to be part of a group that gets as much trouble as it does?

also, there's the part about other animals being homosexual as well, so unless they choose it for the fabulous fashion as well, i'd have to disagree.