Slog - Comments on Can the Pride Parade Go on Without a Rally Site? http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral I just spoke with someone in the loop about the pride parade. He recently had a conversation with a city official about the possibility of staging the pride parade without the route ending at an official rally site. The city official was doubtful at first--the parade needed a gathering spot at its end. But the person-in-the-loop pointed out that Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade don't terminate at rally sites. They just... end... at the end of their designated routes. (Does anyone know if the same is true for the SeaFair Parade?) That being the... Copyright 2008 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:38:17 -0800 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:36:52 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by A Tireless Advocate for the Community NO! We have to have a "rally" so that the "community can gather" and visit the remarkably boring organizational booths.

OTOH, If, say, an organization with a lot of connections to businesses wanted to rent an event space at the Center and have a party that same day, it would be really cool, don't you think?

]]> A Tireless Advocate for the Community http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700122 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700122 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:04:33 -0800 Comment by mary-kate The Chicago pride parade ends without a rally site. (Unless you call the crazy homophobic god-fearing groups who hang out at the end of the parade a rally.) Instead, the parade just ends and everyone schleps back to Halsted for the post-parade festivities.

]]> mary-kate http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700127 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700127 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:05:55 -0800 Comment by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me But, without a rally, won’t we deprive all the angry communist dykes of their annual soap box from which to berate us for not having eaten the rich yet?

]]> You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700141 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700141 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:10:12 -0800 Comment by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me What about all the speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches and speeches?

]]> You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700151 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700151 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:12:47 -0800 Comment by Sober News Too bad revenue from vendor booths at the rally is required to fund the parade, etc.

]]> Sober News http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700162 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700162 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:15:22 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle They have speeches?

All I ever remember are the booths.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700173 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700173 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:18:34 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways uh you forgot....mark 'mom' finley and aleksa manila have bills to pay...without hosting gigs, DRAG QUEENS MIGHT GO HUNGRY!!!

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700181 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700181 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:20:45 -0800 Comment by monkey Parade downtown and then a Cap Hill Block Party... then everyone is happy.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700184 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700184 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:21:08 -0800 Comment by R. Reger Bingo! My first reaction was to SOAP and the tired old queens who ran it- thanks for years of drama, being a community laughingstock, and fucking up what was the first and only decent parade we had last year. Second reaction- it can still be held downtown, and people can saunter on up the hill in 10 minutes for their boozing and cruising. It placates the downtown AND cap hill crowd. Oh how I'll miss the masses at the International Fountain. *sigh*

]]> R. Reger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700188 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700188 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:22:16 -0800 Comment by Lloyd Clydesdale Slight variation: Parade, ending in informal hang-out at Seattle Center. Night time festivities on the Hill. You can go to some or all.

]]> Lloyd Clydesdale http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700205 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700205 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:28:43 -0800 Comment by Explorer Hmmm, wasn't last year's poorly-attended Volunteer Park event an "unofficial rally" as well?

That being said, an unofficial rally at Seattle Center has the potential to be more interesting... if there was just some way to sneak in a sound system. Maybe we can win that Simian Mobile Disco prize and create a FLASH MOB PARTY like Michael Alig and those club kids used to do in NYC.

]]> Explorer http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700212 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700212 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:32:10 -0800 Comment by Disappointed @9 Most of the people who were on the Board last year were new and inherited many of the problems passed down from years of mismanagement. I also really take offense to the 'tired old queen' comment. That's so easy and so predictable. Do you personally know any of the Board members (who volunteer so you can have a fucking event to go to every year?). How can you say 'community laughing stock' and 'first and only decent parade' in the same breath?

]]> Disappointed http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700222 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700222 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:34:06 -0800 Comment by Raygunblst Why don't they just flip the route and run it on 2nd, instead of 4th and then have it go up Pike or Pine?

That way the parade stays downtown and commences on the hill.....

EVERYBODY WINS!

]]> Raygunblst http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700226 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700226 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:36:47 -0800 Comment by Blah Blah Since this is the second gayest city in the country why doesn't every gay/straight person who wants to keep the Gay Pride Parade in Seattle send a $10 donation to Seattle Out and Proud. That way you can have the festival and pay off the debt.

BTW, I liked the suggestion this morning that the event end in Cal Anderson park. Lots of pubs and good coffee around there.

]]> Blah Blah http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700227 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700227 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:36:53 -0800 Comment by Gay Uphill Climb Drag queens in heels trudging uphill on Pike or Pine is a site that would be HIGH-LARIOUS...

]]> Gay Uphill Climb http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700235 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700235 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:39:11 -0800 Comment by Just Me God, the Rally is dull and boring and the parade was only interesting last year since it was downtown. Other than that it was the same parade as 2005 and 2004 and 2003 and 2002 and 2001 and (wait I think 2000 had one different float) and 1999......

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700245 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700245 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:43:12 -0800 Comment by Lloyd Clydesdale @16 -- kind of a challenge to get some new, better stuff going on for the new audience and new venue, though, hunh?

]]> Lloyd Clydesdale http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700320 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700320 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:11:50 -0800 Comment by Boomer in NYC There's been a parade before?

]]> Boomer in NYC http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700324 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700324 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:14:50 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage You can't run the parade up Pike or Pine -- there aren't enough streets going up and down the hill to close off either of those bottle necks. Police, fire, bus won't sign off on closures for those streets.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700362 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700362 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:30:23 -0800 Comment by R. Reger @12...No need to get testy- I am just sharing the thoughts and amazement that many, many folks have- the angst and bickering surrounding the parade goes back years and is well documented- including god knows how many write-ups in the Stranger...

I don't recall any other local event that has the dramatics aired out in public like this one does...thus the "laughingstock" remark. As for "tired old queens", i've been called a lot worse things in life and you just have to buck up and let it roll...

]]> R. Reger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700364 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700364 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:30:32 -0800 Comment by Sargon Bighorn Alot of people have wonderful ideas about making the Parade and Rally happen, but those wonderful people won't get off their firm muscled butts and help. Of course that's normal for any organization; Gay, str8, and inbetween. And lest you know-it-alls forget it, the Board is made up of volunteers. YOU never stepped up to the plate and did a damn thing. So quit your hollow bitching and help out the poor saps that are gunna pull what ever happens this summer together. They'll need your help much more than they'll need you lofty ideas.

]]> Sargon Bighorn http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700369 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700369 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:32 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @19 - who cares what the police or fire want?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700373 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700373 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:33:59 -0800 Comment by que sera sera true 21, the brainstorming session is over really. The reality is that SOAP has folded and the name "Seattle Pride" is trademarked by them. LGBT Center will continue with Queerfest on Saturday and another group I have never heard of said in a blog yesterday that they have been secretly planning a "Plan B" pride should SOAP fold and the made they their intentions known; a parade down Broadway and some sort of soemthing at Volunteer Park, something that is I am guessing is supported by the SGN and The LGBT Community Center. Unless they change their plans, which I highly doubt, somebody else would need to come forward in opposition to them and do a second parade downtown - and then the drama begins all over again.

]]> que sera sera http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700404 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700404 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:50:17 -0800 Comment by Doofus "who cares what the police or fire want?"

Well, you'd probably care very much, if your place were to catch fire, or someone took a poke at you, or you had a heart attack. Don't be a dumbass.

]]> Doofus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700411 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700411 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:53:50 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus The Torchlight Parade starts at Seattle Center and heads toward Qwest Field and ends at its northern parking lot. I don't think there is anything at its end that could be called festive.

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700511 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c700511 Homo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:36:22 -0800 Comment by Matt In NYC, the rally is a full week before the parade.

Oh, and no one goes to the rally.

]]> Matt http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c703138 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/04/can_the_pride_parade_go_on_without_a_ral#c703138 Homo Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:36:52 -0800