Some good discussion in the comments. Will a Queer Bomb destroy Austin in 2010? [link to post]

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http://www.austinvida.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=418:bratt-la-mission-interview

I know that things have changed since then. I mean look—they brought Jackie Beat to town after I brought her to town first. …plus they have brought every drag queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race to town.

It’s good to see a new group of people starting up and doing their own thing. If you don’t like how things are, change it/get involved, but don’t whine about it. Get off your ass and do something! Kudos to the Queerbomb posse and the other off-shoots this weekend!

First, financial. After talking to several of QB organizers over the last couple of weeks, I think they feel there is a perceived desire by Pride Foundation to turn Pride into a business venture by its founders. For many non-profits (including Project Transitions), the costs were too high to participate when the money could be put towards their own services (like caring for HIV+ peeps). Long-standing fundraiser Texas Swing was not included in pride bc they couldn’t afford to be a part of it. And regarding time, many of these folks already run non-profits (everything from counseling to hospice services) that ARE putting ideas to work for the community–ideas that cost money, too. Not sure I see what societally impacting services Pride is offering to the community.

Again, it’s not about a “free ride”–I think most people will recognize that putting on an event like this is expensive–it’s about determining how much PERCEIVED relevance financial gain has into determining who is included in the event. When do the costs get so high that being gay becomes something only big companies and marketers can afford to be a part of?

Second, inclusion. Among the organizers of QB, there was a feeling of being disenfranchised. A certain segment felt left out so that Pride Foundation could present a “clean” face in order to get potential sponsorship dollars. The question again becomes: Who is pride for?

The gay rights movement was started by a bunch of drag queens at the Stonewall who were sick and tired of being raided by police. At the time, gay “thought leaders” were telling the community to ignore the raids and stay quiet. If those drag queens hadn’t stood up for gay rights, most of the advances in the gay rights movement probably would have taken a lot longer to manifest.

The overall point of my post was to really contrast the perception of “elitism” at the official Gay Pride events with the feeling of inclusion that the Gay Bomb organizers present.

There’s some good conversation happening on Facebook. Thought I’d share it with you.

My friend Travis writes:

“My basic point is Economics 101: There’s no such thing as a free lunch. And there’s no such thing as a free Pride. Palmer Event Center costs money. Tents for booths costs money. Publicity costs money. Austin’s LGBT community is growing and vibrant and deserves a Pride that showcases that AND showcases the vital non-profit services available in the community. Non-profit booths already pay half the registration fee that businesses pay. And if vendor volunteers balk at paying $10, it sounds like they don’t believe Pride is worth the price of admission anyway. So why would they want to promote their organization? And as for parking, I plan to park downtown and walk across the bridge. (So I guess there IS such a thing as free parking.) If people think they can get a better bang for their buck at next year’s Pride so that everyone gets a free ride, I’d suggest they join the The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation (a non-profit, btw) and start putting their ideas to work for the whole community.”

RT @CheerUpCharlies: Toinight is @queerbomb people!! Be @ 501 Studios at 8:30pm SHARP start the march. [link to post]

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