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Ty Garfield Ebbtide Editor-in-Chief On June 29 at 11 a.m., an expected 100,000 people will march from Broadway and Pike Streets toward Volunteer Park. The Seattle Pride March 2002 is the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered (GLBT) event in the Northwest. Held annually for 30 years, the march is an opportunity for the GLBT public to demonstrate their unity in the face of cultural adversity. The Pride Parade/March and Freedom Rally for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, (the march's official name,) is organized by the Freedom Day Committee (FDC). The FDC is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the logistics and promotion of the event. The FDC officers and Board of Directors receive no other compensation for their efforts other than the success of the event. From a press release dated, Feb. 27, FDC Co-Chair Jim Coburn said, "It's the goal of the FDC to listen to all voices and opinions of people who make up the GLBT community in Seattle." March 7, at Seattle Central Community College, the FDC held a public forum to discuss changing Seattle Pride 2002 from a one-day to a two-day event. In addition, the inclusion of a beer garden in Volunteer Park was discussed. Seattle Pride '02s Website (www.seattlepride.org) states, "Recently, Anheuser Busch came out in support of Pride Festivals with a national advertising campaign. This is just one example of corporations developing targeted communications to the Gay and Lesbian community." The Pride March exists with the help of a network of contributing organizations, vendors and volunteers. The financial information from the 2001 march shows income equaling over $60,000 and expenses of $71,100. The largest portion of income stems from vendor booths (45 percent) while corporate sponsorship (16 percent) and t-shirt sales (15 percent) follow. In contrast, the majority of expenses are derived from rally entertainment provided free to the public, and logistics cleaning up after 100,000 people. The income figures illustrate businesses and individuals co-operating to recognize the value the GLBT community adds to our city. The Seattle March is a member of InterPride, an international organization dedicated to promoting Pride Marches in 24 countries with over 120 member organizations. The Seattle Pride March is open to anyone as illustrated by the Freedom Day Committees Mission Statement: "The Freedom Day Committee strives to unite our community to educate, celebrate, advance, and defend the issues and causes that affect our communities and friends." The Pride March is an opportunity for students to take an active role in support of a community still striving for understanding and acceptance. Volunteer information is found at http://www.seattlepride.org/volunteerinfo.htm. Contact the volunteer coordination chair, James Shultz at james@seattlepride.org or by telephone at (206) 324-0405. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™ |