News from Show Me Pride
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2010
Media Advisory
Gay Pride Announces New Venue
The Show Will Go On At Riverfront Park
Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Port Authority Executive Director Vincent Gauthier and Pride President, Rick Bumgardner will be on hand for a press event TODAY (May 21) at 2:30 PM at The Pavilion at Richard L Berkley Riverfront Park.*
“The Mayor’s Office and Port Authority have been a tremendous help in facilitating a new venue for Pride after Penn Valley Park was ruled out due to recent rains. As a result of their efforts, we are excited to announce our move to Riverfront Park for 2010,” said Pride President, Rick Bumgardner. “When we were scrambling to find a location for our festival – they called us. And for that we are so grateful. It’s going to be a great year for Pride!”
“The Kansas City spirit is to help out a neighbor,” said Mayor Funkhouser. “We were more than happy to help Pride find a new home this year and perhaps start a tradition on the Riverfront.”
Pride is a week-long celebration and educational opportunity for the LGBTIQA community. With the theme of “Then. . .Now. . .Forever,” this year’s Pride Festival Week will be held May 31 - June 6, 2010.
*Mayor Funkhouser and Rick Bumgardner will speak.
Media Contact: Rick Bumgardner 913.484.7425 (president@gaypridekc.com)
Dave Anders Memorial Scholarships
Show Me Pride will begin accepting essays for five $1,000 scholarships to be offered to students who are continuing their secondary education. Essays should be 2,500 words in length and should be focused on the theme THEN....NOW...FOREVER....PRIDE. Essays should include a statement of the meaning of this theme to them personally, the reason we need to reflect on our past history, assess our current state, and project toward the future.
As was done last year, the essay period will begin on May 1 and continue until July 15, 2010. Entrants should type their essays and submit them to Show Me Pride, 1711 W. 45th Street, Kansas City, MO. The essays will then be forwarded to Dr. Michael McDonald, Associate Professor of Communications, UMKC for he and his reading committee to read the essays.
Once evaluated, Dr. McDonald and his team will advise the Show Me Pride Board of their 5 essay nominations. At that time, our organization will contact the individuals and make them aware they have scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year.
The scholarship recipients will then be asked to submit a Letter of Intent from their school, financial aid contact information, and checks will then be issued directly to the institution.
Watch the website for more information!
PRIDE BRINGS LA ROUX TO KC!!
Friday June 4th @ Power The Light With PRIDE, Show Me Pride and Mix 93.3 present for the first time an outstanding performer and British music star La Roux! La Roux's song Bulletproof (featured on Ellen) is hitting the top charts as the year goes on.
"This is by far one of the best current acts Kansas City's PRIDE Festival has seen in a long time." says several of the community members.
For More Information about this event CLICK HERE.
POWER THE LIGHT WITH PRIDE
03-15-2010
Call for Quilt Panel Requests
Nhojj confirmed for Quilt Dinner
As always, you are invited to request specific panels that you would like exhibited at our festival June 4 - 6, at Penn Valley Park, from The Names Project for display. If you have a specific panel that you would like to see at the festival, please visit The Names Project website and find the panel that you would like to request. Once you have the panel number, you may email Show Me Pride specifying the panel number and person's name. Deadline for getting panel requests is April 1, 2010.
Show Me Pride, LLC announced today the confirmation of Nhojj, Out Music Awards R&B winner for Song of the Year as the entertainer at the annual Quilt Dinner at Penn Valley Park, June 4, 2010. The first black male to win an OMA award, Nhojj's video for the song "Love" is being played on MTV and VH1. This is a wonderful opportunity for Kansas City to have an award winning artist at the Quilt Dinner and his affirming lyrics and song styling will not be one to be missed.
To order your tickets, or to find out further information about the Quilt Dinner, please visit the Pride Week tab and click on Thursday of the festival week. Tickets are $50 each and seating is limited.
KING AND QUEEN OF PRIDE ANNOUNCED
Thursday February 11th, at Missie B's....Mulan was crowned Queen of Show Me Pride 2010 and Logan Rider was named the King of Show Me Pride 2010.
With energetic performances that focused on the theme of this year's festival Then....Now....Forever....PRIDE, all the contestants took the stage with fervor and passion that the crowd loved and showed appreciation for. Cinderfella and Dakota Riviera brought their talents and fundraising efforts to the Pride event and were fierce competitors for the Queen title.
President Rick Bumgardner addressed the crowd and announced the revival of the Show Me Pride Parade on June 6, 2010 at 11:00 am and ending at 1:00 pm at the festival grounds at Penn Valley Park. With an overwhelming audience response of cheers and applause, Rick asked the crowd to get all organizations, churches, businesses, and groups involved in marching in the parade and made sure that the audience last night would attend.
The annual Royalty Court event at Missie B's included performances by Desiree Luv, Raven Waye, Natalie Navoe, Deja Brooks, MJ Knight, Buttweiser, new Miss Shylo Menefee, and new Mr. TR Clapper who brought rotisserie chicken on stage and did the chicken dance while handing out wings and legs to the audience.
Mr. and Miss Show Me Pride Festival 2010 Crowned
The winners of the Mr. and Miss Show Me Pride Festival Royalty Court were crowned Thursday February 4th at Missie B's. Shylo Menefee took the title for Miss and TR Clapper was named Mr. Show Me Pride 2010.
Desiree Luv, Raven Waye, reigning Queen Natalie Navoe, outgoing Mr. Matt Bridegan, former Queen Deja Brooks, and Mr. MGRA 2008 Dennis Kitchen all entertained the crowd raising monies for the 2010 Pride Festival in June.
Judges included Deja Brooks, local theatre icon Jayson Chandley, and former Miss Gay America Victoria DePaula. An offstage and onstage question were asked which the judges paid close attention to and rated the contestants based on their ability to speak to the issue, their poise, and the content of their answers.
Both TR and Shylo will perform at next weeks King and Queen of Show Me Pride Festival 2010 Royalty Court pageant, along with other entertainers.
It's not too late to enter into those two categories. See our website, under the Forms tab, Royalty Court application....All monies raised go to help defray costs of your Pride Festival and winners hold the title for a year and are expected to represent the community as the Pride Royal Ambassadors.
Why Gays Shouldn't be Allowed to Marry
While trying to keep up on new developments in this category of LGBT rights, this article caught our attention. We thought with all the negativity around the subject, this brief albeit interesting point of view on LGBT marriage was quiet funny. Below are the top 10 reasons why gays shouldn't be allowed to marry. Thank you to IMGUR and Craigslist >Portland.
01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging out with tall people will make you tall.
03) legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has the same legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we only have one religion in America.
09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
RuPaul's Drag Race at Missie B's
Season 2, Episode 1 began last night, February 1, 2010 at Missie B's. A viewing party, each and every week until the finale thirteen weeks from now, Missie B's will be offering give aways, Absolut drink specials, and there's even a contest where a lucky winner has the chance to appear on NewNowNext Poplab in June.
A lively crowd turned up and tuned in to watch the first episode and help support your Pride Festival in June 2010. With the first episode airing, the crowd laughed and jeered. watched and whaled, applauded and was left completely satisfied with the fun that surrounded the bar.
A big thanks to Michael Burns, Jan Allen, and all the staff at Missie's for making us feel so welcome and again doing what they can to help your festival be the best it can be. A huge thanks to Major Brands and Absolut for bringing this special event each and every week for 13 weeks to Kansas City.
Join us, next Monday....but, be sure to arrive by 8 pm when the next episode will be aired. See you at the racetrack.....
You Can't Turn The Lights Off
GOTTA LOVE THOSE BRITS!!!
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL RALLY PLANNED FOR JANUARY 28
BACKGROUND: Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton's recently announced that he does not support repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell "at this time." And, as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee he does not plan to hold a full committee hearing. Here’s a link to an article that ran in The Hill, in case you haven’t seen it.
VIEW ARTICLE
Other members of the Missouri delegation (and other Midwest and national members of Congress) often defer to Ike on military issues as the "expert". Congressman Skelton's decision to not hold a hearing could be very harmful to the momentum to repeal DADT this year. (ie. Will Senator Claire McCaskill "defer" to Ike on this issue and agree that now is not the time?)
In response we are organizing a press conference and rally in Kansas City. Congressman Skelton will be in Kansas City at the downtown Muehlbach Hotel, this Thursday, January 28th as the Downtown Rotary Club guest speaker. Please join us for a "HOLD A HEARING IKE!" press conference and rally to make our voices heard that "NOW IS THE TIME TO REPEAL DADT!"
WHEN: Thursday, January 28 at 11:30am (over your lunch hour!)
WHERE: Barney Allis Plaza - intersection of 12th Street and Wyandotte. (across from the Muehlebach Hotel)
WHAT: Press Conference and Rally supporting repeal of Don't Ask, Don'tTell.
ACTION NEEDED FROM YOU:
1) Attend the Rally and Press conference promptly at 11:30am Thursday, January 28th.
2) Bring 2 friends with you.
3) Post on your Facebook account.
4) Try to make a sign and bring it with you. KEEP IT ON MESSAGE PLEASE!
Suggestions for signs:
HOLD A HEARING IKE!
NOW IS THE TIME FOR REPEAL!
REPEAL DON'T ASK DON'T TELL!
Please let us know if you will be attending. And if you are a veteran (gay or straight) and would like to be a part of the press conference, please contact Doug Gray at DougGr8@gmail.com or call 816-304-6261.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has vowed to block a gay parade planned for the Russian capital, describing the march as a "satanic act" and threatening to use the full force of the law to prevent it.
Gay activists, who say they are fighting for their constitutional rights in a deeply intolerant society, promised to go ahead with the May 29 march with or without the permission of city authorities.
Luzhkov, 73, has angered Moscow's gay community and drawn international criticism for his fiery anti-homosexual rhetoric and for sending riot police to break up earlier attempts to hold gay parades.
"For years, Moscow has faced unprecedented pressure to hold a gay parade, which can only be described as a satanic act," Luzhkov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency on Monday.
"We did not allow such a parade then and we will not allow one in the future," he said. "It's no time to mess around with talk of human rights. Rather we should crack down with all the power and justice of the law."
Luzhkov's stance against gay rights groups has earned wide backing among the country's elite. The late leader of Russia's influential Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexiy II, said that homosexuals suffered a mental disorder similar to shoplifters.
The gay scene in Moscow is relatively small and low profile with most clubs and bars aimed at the gay community known through word of mouth rather than being openly advertised.
Two Russian lesbians were refused a marriage licence in Moscow last year on the grounds that such a union must be between a man and a woman.
Leading gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev dismissed Luzhkov's comments:
"It's the same old medieval homophobic rhetoric," Alexeyev said in an emailed statement. "The fifth Moscow gay pride march will be held as scheduled on May 29."
Gay rights groups hope the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg will soon rule Luzhkov's bans of earlier marches were illegal, forcing him to let future marches go ahead.
"We expect a unanimous decision in our favour," Alexeyev said.
Pride would like to take a quick opportunity to look back at all the good times we had as a community last year.
Enjoy - and who knows - you might just see yourself.....
Show Me Pride is pleased to announce the dates for this year's Pride Royalty Court Pageant. On February 4, 2010, the Mr. and Miss Pride Pageant will be held, starting at 9:00pm at Missie B's, with the King and Queen of Pride Pageant being held on February 11, 2010 at 9:00pm at Missie B's..
Contestants are encouraged to watch the website for further details in the coming week which will announce rules and regulations along with contact information for potential candidates. As the Royalty Court, the four individuals are the community faces of Pride and will be expected to be at fundraising events, participating in public promotions, and performing at the festival itself.
The application for all contestants is now found on the Forms tab, under the heading Royalty Court. Download the form and fill out the application. For further information, please don't hesitate to call Pride at 816-984-2055.
Keeping with the theme of the festival,
Show Me Pride is compelled to remember, respect, and remind our community, both locally and globally, of the epidemic that has taken, is taking, and will continue to take the lives of our brothers and sisters.
The Quilt Dinner and the Quilt Tent Display have become staples of the Pride Festival. As one of the nations largest displayers of quilt panels, Show Me Pride is also a donation site and has donated two quilt panels previously of individuals from the Greater Kansas City area.The Names Project is the worlds largest ongoing living community arts project in the world.
This year, Show Me Pride would like to call upon your help to donate a quilt (8 Panels) for our fallen brothers and sisters. Beginning December 1st, these 6 panels will be on display at various organizations, throughout the city, for you to pay homage to someone that your life would not have been the same without.
Feel free to use the attached markers and follow The Names Project guidelines to commemorate your loved ones.
KC Free Health Clinic
3515 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111
Get Directions
MCC Church
3801 Wyandotte St. Kansas City, MO 64111
Get Directions
