Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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San Francisco Examiner - June 28, 2002
Adrienne Sanders, Of The Examiner Staff
Tensions among the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender community's myriad factions bubble to the surface throughout the year, and the last weekend in June is no different.
"Our community is all communities," said Teddy Witherington, executive director of the SFLGBT Pride Celebration Committee. "We're black, white, elders, youth, Republican, Democrats, smart and stupid."
While disagreements are bound to happen, sit-ins, protests -- even shouting matches -- are as much a part of the parade as colorful floats and bare chests. Mainstream gays reject transgenders for being confused about their sexuality.
For their part, trannies have a tough time with the cops, whom many still see as violently oppressive. This, of course, can be uncomfortable for gay cops marching in the parade.
And old-guard lefties are tired of the swelling numbers of gay "sellouts" -- political conservatives and corporate types who, they say, have turned the weekend's events into a commercial.
Case in point: The official slogan for this year's event is "Be Yourself, Change the World." It is uncomfortably similar to the tag line of corporate sponsor Budweiser Light, which exhorts Americans to "Be Yourself."
In protest, several hundred activists will present the Gay Shame Awards on Sunday on Mission Street. Among the winners -- a local gay-owned real estate development company that reportedly advises clients on how best to evict tenants to boost profits.
Other reviled groups among the at least 1 million parade attendees include ACT UP SF. It denies HIV causes AIDS, and its members have been arrested for harassing city officials. The group pulls in fat tax-free cash from medical marijuana sales.
While the organization isn't an official Pride participant, the group will have its own booth where it will pass out free joints.
"(ACT UP SF) should continue another half-mile down Market Street and continue into the Bay to Alcatraz," said Michael Lauro, a member of Survive AIDS.
And if any faction receives more boos than ACT UP, it would be NAMBLA -- the North American Man/Boy Love Association, which has been known to crash the party.
Regardless of disagreements, Pride parade is a time when gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people feel more alike than different.
"When you get boos, you say, 'Hey, this is Gay Pride day!' " said Bellefountaine. "You get out here and march with us -- especially in high heels."
E-mail: asanders@sfexaminer.com
Historical Moments of Pride Parade
1969 -- Gay resistance to NYPD raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York sparked gay rights movement. First parade held.
1977 -- Anita Bryant anti-gay controversy. Harvey Milk elected first gay supervisor months after parade.
1978 -- First rainbow flag flies. S.F. Supervisor Dan White murders Harvey Milk later that year.
1979 -- Dan White convicted of manslaughter charge. City riots.
1980 -- The word lesbian appears for the first time in the parade.
1982 -- AIDS epidemic unfolds.
1984 -- Democratic National Convention comes to town, AIDS take center stage at parade.
1989 -- 20th anniversary of the parade.
1993 -- Parade adopts theme "the year of the queer." First San Francisco dyke march draws 10,000 women.
1994 -- Tom Ammiano, "The Mother of Gay Comedy," is elected to the Board of Supervisors.
1995 -- Supervisors pass ordinance prohibiting discrimination against transgender individuals.
1998 -- "The Castro" documentary airs on KQED during LGBT Pride Month.
2001 -- Event profitable, with a record $110k granted back to more than 30 organizations.
Source: Allen White, media coordinator for parade for roughly half of parades in last 20 years and KQED.
Official Pride Events
"You're a Grand Old F(l)ag," the 24th Annual Pride Concert: Today, 450 Church St., $20 general admission, 7 and 9 p.m.
Latin Explosion: Today, 120 11th St., Oakland, $10 at the door, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
International Gay Rugby Tournament: Today and Saturday, competition held at the
Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park, 10 a.m.
Official Pride Brunch: Saturday, Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1231 Market St., 11 a.m.
ReUnion: Saturday, Fifth Anniversary Dance Celebration at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Brown Party: Official Latin Party: Saturday, 550 Barneveld Ave., $20 advance, 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Latin Stage After Party: Sunday, 18 and over party, 715 Harrison at 3rd streets, $12 cover at the door. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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