Pride Week!!! PrideFest Proud

Originally posted as part of the Decoding Skorman Series (4/29/11)


Skorman's take on PrideFest through the years.

Gays celebrate at PrideFest

Gathering allows couples, individuals to express lifestyle

Publication:

The Gazette 

Publish date:

August 6, 2001

 

Author:

Kirsten Orsini-Meinhard

As David and Joe walked slowly through Acacia Park on Sunday, Joe slipped his hand into David's.

It was a simple gesture, but it's one that the couple normally feel uncomfortable about in public.

They were strolling through the 11th annual PrideFest 2001 parade and festival in downtown Colorado Springs, a pro-gay rights event.

"It's kind of nice to walk around outside and not have to worry about people," David said. The couple, from Colorado Springs, asked that their last names not be used because they fear discrimination at their jobs.

Like many other gays and lesbians in Colorado Springs, David and Joe attended the event to enjoy the rows of booths sponsored by various organizations, a parade and live entertainment. But they said they were mostly there to celebrate who they are and not worry about being judged by other people.

It was a feeling that many attendees echoed at the event, which was held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It wasn't just the gay community that showed up to enjoy the event - straight teen-agers danced with their gay friends and City Council members mingled with drag queens.

"I think the town is becoming broader-minded and accepting ... they're not interested in discrimination," said City Council member Richard Skorman, who spoke at the festival along with council member Judy Noyes.

As the 12:30 p.m. parade began on the corner of Tejon Street and Platte Avenue, Dawn Owen and Pam Farmer stood near the sidewalk holding on to their daughter's stroller.

Two of their other children wandered around, watching men clad in leather and mothers toting signs that read, "We love our gay kids."

For Owen and Farmer, PrideFest isn't about themselves, because they are comfortable being homosexual. The couple attend PrideFest so their four children can learn that other children also have same-sex parents.

"They see the parade and more of the community," said Owen, who lives in Colorado Springs and is a longtime attendee of the event.

As members of organizations such as the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, which sponsored the event, and the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado marched by in the 30-minute parade, peaceful protesters stood on the corner of Tejon Street and Platte Avenue, waving signs and crosses.

For the first time, Intel Corp. employees participated in the event and joined the rows of rainbow-painted tables to hand out information about their company.

Intel's addition to PrideFest is an example of how more businesses and companies are choosing to participate, said Christy Pitts, executive director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

The number of booths has grown from 52 to 82 since last year, and attendance has increased, she said.

Copyright 2009 The Gazette.

Proud to be who they are

Annual PrideFest gives gays, lesbians chance to be 'out'

Publication:

The Gazette 

Publish date:

August 19, 2002

 

Author:

Gina Perales

On the surface, there wasn't much difference between the 12th Annual PrideFest, held Sunday in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, and the 11 that came before it.

Drag queens strutted their stuff in barely there dresses. Men held hands with men. Women lovingly embraced each other. Parents proudly proclaimed their children are gay while protesters chanted across the street.

But if you ask people why they came this year, they'll say it's because they wanted to have fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

That wasn't always the case.

Ten years ago, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2, a measure designed to prevent local governments from passing laws protecting gays.

Colorado Springs was a hotbed of debate concerning the amendment, the creators of which, Colorado for Family Values, were based here.

The Springs faced a fierce national backlash by gay rights advocates, who said the measure was mean-spirited and bigoted. By December 1992, at least six major U.S. cities condemned Colorado and banned official travel to the state. Colorado lost $2.2 million in convention revenue by 1993 because of the growing boycott.

So it was in an atmosphere of political tension a record number of people attended the 3rd AnnualPrideFest in 1993 to protest the amendment in hopes of keeping it from becoming law. The attendance increased five-fold from 1990, organizers said then.

"This community has gone through so much," Lyn Boudreau, a Colorado Springs public school teacher said at PrideFest in 1993. "There was pain and shock over Amendment 2 when it passed. But now there is so much strength and love in this community. There are so many people now that aren't afraid to say who they are, and that is beautiful."

In Acacia Park on Sunday, the aim wasn't to protest Amendment 2, long declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

For most it was a time to have fun, to show who they are, to open minds, people said.

Shaun Patterson flaunted it. "It's pride. You've got to love the environment - for everybody to be 'out,'" Patterson, a former waiter at Hide & Seek, said Sunday as he walked around in his Joe Boxer underwear. "It's a day to have fun being queer."

As for the mind opening, mission accomplished, at least in one case:

Eighty-five-year-old Eustace Osborne, whose friends call him Ozzy, decided to check out the festival after his senior luncheon across the street from Acacia Park.

"We just wanted to see what was going on," Osborne said wide-eyed amid transvestites as he sat with his wife of 59 years. "I don't know what to think of it. Times ain't like they used to be. But if that's what they want, that's fine with me."

Although Amendment 2 has been dead for years, it lingered in speeches Sunday that proclaimed how much the Springs has changed.

"We've come a long way," said PrideFest speaker Betty Lynn Mahaffy, who worked to stop Amendment 2. "In 1991 we had city people who supported Amendment 2. Today we've got the City Council members willing to speak at our fest. We've got a mayor who wrote us a letter. In 1991 there was not a mainstream Christian church that would marry same-sex couples. Now we've got one here at PrideFest."

Colorado Springs City Councilman Richard Skorman spoke in remembrance of a gay and lesbian activist, Jocelyn Sandberg, who was stabbed to death April 26 near Armstrong Hall on the Colorado College campus.

Friends say the 41-year-old Sandberg was a staunch gay and lesbian activist who rallied against Amendment 2. Police still don't have suspects in Sandberg's case, they said Sunday.

Skorman, who owns Poor Richard's, was her employer.

"She was the biggest supporter of the event and community," Skorman said Sunday.

"She was strong and stood up for what she believed in. I'm quite sure she's looking down on us right now."

Gay and lesbian activists now are focusing on marriage.

"It's a new phase we're going through right now," said John, who declined to give his last name because he is a public school teacher. John is legally married to his partner in the state of Vermont.

"There it is called civil union status, not marriage. It's kind of separate but equal. It's recognized legally there but not anywhere else in the United States. Not here in Colorado."

Copyright 2009 The Gazette.

Gay-lesbian PrideFest meets little protest

Publication:

The Gazette 

Publish date:

June 30, 2003

 

Author:

JOSIE LOZA

Brandon Pacheco proudly watched parade-goers twirl rainbow- colored Mylar streamers and flags while marching down Tejon Street as the gay and lesbian community of Colorado Springs celebratedPrideFest.

A float filled with men wearing black leather vests and chaps had the 22-year-old cheering for more.

"Yeah, check out the guys," he said. "I've got to get a picture of this."

Pacheco, a bisexual, said a few years ago he shied away from talking about his sexuality. In 1999, he told his mother he liked boys and girls.

PrideFesters heard live music and browsed among dozens of vendors who set up shop in Acacia Park.

Ryan Acker, president of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, estimated more than 5,000 people attended the event.

"It's not only the gay community that's here," he said. "We have lots of supporters working to make this a better community." A handful of protesters, some holding placards, stood on a street corner as the parade passed.

"There were more protesters here last year," Pacheco said.

"When you get into the park where all of the festivities are held, you really don't pay much mind to them."

Marilyn Willis and partner Lucretia Colpitts found a spot near a tree to sit together.

"We feel comfortable displaying affection in Colorado Springs," Willis said. "People don't say anything."

City Councilman Richard Skorman, the only member of the nine- member council to support continuing health benefits for same-sex partners of city employees, told the attendees their presence in the community is important for all.

"Don't give up the fight," he said. "Don't give up the struggle.

"We need you."

Copyright 2009 The Gazette.

Gay couples unite at Pridefest 

Fifty 'licenses to love' issued at symbolic wedding ceremony

Publication:

The Gazette 

Publish date:

July 19, 2004

 

Author:

ANDREA BROWN

Fifty couples said "yes" even though the state said "no."

Rings were exchanged, kisses shared and flowers tossed at Sunday morning's symbolic same-sex wedding ceremony at Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. The annual Pridefest activities included a parade, beer garden, vendors and live music.

Some couples dressed in shorts and T-shirts, others in suits and gowns for their walk down the altar in a union not recognized by the state of Colorado. Twenty gay and lesbian couples who requested an official state marriage license Friday were turned down.

Falon Adams, 20, spent a month shopping for her lacy black-and- white wedding dress and spike heels that hurt her feet.

"These shoes have got to go," Adams said after trading vows with her partner, June Colvin, 21, clad in a pinstriped zoot suit.

They planned to honeymoon in Las Vegas.

Many couples planned traditional celebrations after the public ceremony that drew hundreds of supporters and spectators, as well as a handful of protesters.

Lynda Pennington threw a barbecue for her daughter, Christina Olivas, 23, and partner Amber Ashman, 21.

"I got them a cake with two little doves on top of it," Pennington said. "She has been with Amber about four years. They've been really happy. That's what marriage is all about."

Olivas' sister, Nicole Thill, snapped pictures.

"Right down to my grandma, we're all supportive," Thill said.

"I'm glad," added Thill's daughter, Cheyenna, 6, before skipping away to join dozens of people escaping the heat in the park's Uncle Wilber fountain.

Couples received a "License to Love" certificate.

"It may not be legalized, but we're still married," Ashman said.

The law denies same-sex couples the benefits of matrimony.

"What we are missing are the legal protections that go with it," said the Rev. Nori Rost, whose Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church issued the certificates.

Valerie Handy came to Pridefest to protest.

"A couple is a man and a woman who can produce children to keep society going," Handy said. "That's the way God meant it to be and that's the way it should be."

The stance was echoed by her son, Damon Slusher, 13.

"It's like my sign says, 'God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,'" the teen said.

Colorado Springs Vice Mayor Richard Skorman spoke in favor of the event.

"There's nothing wrong with people being proud of who they love," he said. "It's good for Colorado Springs and for our country to be talking about this," he said.

Vendors pitched health products, travel, political agendas and power tools.

"I've been here since 1979, and this is by far the largest crowd," said event emcee Carolyn Cathey. "It is a very important civil rights issue for the community. They have a lot of straight allies."

Copyright 2009 The Gazette. 

GAYS, BACKERS CELEBRATE 

Dozen same-sex couples return to exchange vows

Publication:

The Gazette 

Publish date:

July 18, 2005

 

Author:

ANDREA BROWN 

Darlene Runge wore a lacy white wedding dress and veil. Her intended dressed in a dapper black suit.

The Englewood couple came to downtown Colorado Springs on Sunday to get married.

The minister joined them together in love, but not by law.

They were among a dozen same-sex couples exchanging vows in a ceremony at Acacia Park duringPrideFest. The annual celebration of the local gay community included a parade, speeches, vendors, food booths and a beer garden.

"I have the right to wear a traditional wedding dress just as much as another bride does," said Runge, 51, clasping a bouquet of flowers.

Added her partner, Cathy House, 43, "And if I may say so, I think I make a very handsome groom."

Sharing the stage were 12 couples from last year's 50-couple group nuptials who returned to renew their vows.

"It's a good way to celebrate our anniversary," said Denver resident Tim Johnson.

Not everyone shared their bliss.

"It's pretty decadent stuff that's going on in there," said Robert Behn, among the religious pickets at park entrances.

Behn came here from Buffalo, N.Y., to protest with Operation Save America.

"We're hoping that some of those people will come out of that lifestyle," he said. "The Bible calls it abomination." He wasn't finding many takers for his pamphlets.

"People's minds are pretty well set," said Behn, whose Colorado itinerary includes visiting abortion clinics.

A few shouting matches erupted.

"Go back to your church," Wayne Farris told protesters.

"They terrorize people," Farris said. "This is a day people should come out and have pride, but they are being called detestable."

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera, who typically issues proclamations for city events, declined to issue a PrideFest proclamation for the second year in a row.

But City Councilman Richard Skorman rode in the PrideFest parade that followed the wedding ceremony.

"After all these elections and the (gay) marriage issue, it is more important now for elected officials to stand up for decency and for people's rights," Skorman said.

"It is great for people to come together and not feel afraid, not feel ashamed and to feel proud of who they are and express their love for their families and loved ones."

The parade was led by someone decked out as the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon character. Parade entries ranged from banks and car dealers to the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association and Dykes on Trykes.

The donkeys were the highlight for Beryl Garcia, 10.

"My hands are a little tired from clapping a lot," she said. "It was just fun."

It was her family's first time at PrideFest.

"I was iffy about coming," said her sister, Tazhianna Cook, 16. "It's nice to see people happy. It's better than I thought it would be."

Their mother, Tarchine Cook, plans to bring the girls back next year.

"It is good that people are able to express themselves for who they are," she said.

Copyright 2009 The Gazette.