THE DEALINE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL SUPPORT US AND CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF AMERICA IS TODAY, JUNE 30TH! FUNDRAISING STATEMENT BOOKS MUST BE CLOSED BY JUNE 30TH.

Contribute Here

Just 6 years from now, the gay and lesbian buying power in the U.S. will reach $1 trillion -- a 50% increase over today's estimated $641 billion.

But today PFLAG (Parent's, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will celebrate the LGBT's impact on the economy by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. This historic and symbolic appearance at the NYSE Friday will drive home one single point to Corporate and mainstream America: gays are a vital part of the U.S. economy.

To put this in perspective, consider that the current contribution of the LGBT community of $641,000,000,000 is:

15 times the 2006 federal budget for the Department of Homeland Security...

$100,000,000 more than this year's Department of Defense budget...

8-10 times the federal budget for the Department of Education...

About $140,000,000,000 more than the U.S. will make in Social Security payments this year.

We can not let the 'culture of corruption' turn the tide in some of the closest Senate races in the country with their juggernaut fundraising to buy Republicanc andidates out of the trouble they're in because they rubberstamp this administration's failed policies. This is the last chance to weigh in with powerful grassroot support to counter the President's fundraiser-in-chief performance.

This November is the time to get our country back on track, as a nation that USED to be the greatest in the world.

This is a critical test of our resolve to come together as a community. The Bush Republicans would like nothing better than to set our candidates back by burying hem under an avalanche of special interest money and distortions. I urge you to do everything you can to impact these important Senate races. Let's show the offensive right wing fundraising machine that we mean business.

Here's to November 2006!

What a weekend. Just back from San Francisco Pride and I am so glad to have gone up to be at the event. I think, like most of you, I have become a little "prided out" the last few years. We have taken so many amazing steps forward as a community and a nation but it almost seems that many pride events haven't been keeping up with us. They depend on the blue print of yester-year of free porn and circuit parties. *YAWN* Anyone else bored of this?

I have to say that San Francisco encompassed what pride means to me. I had the honor of speaking at the unveiling of the Pink Triangle, www.thepinktriangle.com along side political leaders such as: Mayor Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Mark Leno, and Senator Carole Migden (to name a few) who have been on the forefront of the Marriage Equality debate and LGBT rights. When many of our LGBT community leaders (Equality California) failed so miserably at organizing our bases while the Govern-ator vetoed Californian LGBT rights away--it was absolutely inspiring to see our straight allies and LGBT political leaders rallying on top of the Twin Peaks with pointed integrity, clear direction and firey passion.



Walking the parade route on Sunday morning was fantastic. Straight families and singles lined the streets, shoulder to shoulder with Gay and Lesbian families and singles cheering on the numerous floats and marchers winding down Market Street. From the "Dykes on Bikes" to the "Delores Street Baptist Church" it was a complete celebration of life, family and LGBT equality.

I was walking with one of my best friends, Julie, when a man walked up to me and said, "What is this parade for?" in a thick middle eastern accent. A little taken aback (How did ya miss this one fella?) I smiled and said, "Look around. It's the Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade." The man blinked, looked around and a HUGE smile came over his face. "Wow! This is really fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" he smiled walking right over to join the crowd cheering and watching the parade streaming by.

This is what Pride means to me. This is our one weekend/week a year to reach out in mass to everyone...gay/straight, closeted/flaming, man/woman, couples/singles, rich/poor, Democrat/Republican, Muslim/Christian/Agnostic, Black/White/Purple and say THIS is who we are. I think most of us get this and it appears the tide is turning on how we present ourselves to the rest of the world. There is an awesome sense of social responsibility we are "slowly" being handed as gays and lesbians. Some on the fringe say the party is over...I say the party is just beginning. Together we can accomplish anything and this goes beyond Marriage Equality. We are diverse, we are powerful and we are NOT going anywhere.

Well, Pride season is under way and I have been getting a ton of emails both pros and cons on what prides means to people now-a-days. Are people tired of the sexual exploitation and commercialism of many (by no means all) of prides throughout the country? Where is the community in a has-been porn model flexing a bloated and steroided body for the crowds. Is this our one day to let loose and throw our sexual caution to the wind or should it be our one day to gain mainstream visibility in America and stand side by side with families and political equals?

I've taken part in many prides in the last few years--both speaking and just celebrating--but I had a sobering moment when I walked into the main festival of LA pride year before last and they were handing out free DVD samples of porn to anyone who would take them. This copy included the boyfriend of the once Mayor of West Hollywood. Classy. I had to ask myself if I had a family would I feel comfortable bringing my kids to this type of event. My answer, sadly, was no. With that, along with some other MAJOR MAJOR mismanagement of the pride, I decided that I could no longer speak/participate in pride events that I couldn't invite my own family to. Does that seem uptight to some? Absolutely. Does that concern me? Absolutely. When did f*cking become our sense of pride and community? My closest gay friends include a PH.D. in Philosophy, an amazing jazz vocalist, a PR account exec and so forth. I get it, we all love sex, and it plays a part in everyone's lives gay OR straight but when does it sum up our sole sense of being? Gay OR straight.

I have some emails to share with everyone. I got a note last week asking me to come up and take part in LA Pride again from someone with the organization. I'll take the name out to save the individual any further embarrassment. My response was as follows:

**************

Hey ****,

How are ya? Thank you so much for thinking of me. I wish LA Pride all the success in the world but I will not be able to attend this year. Unfortunately, I had a very negative experience working with CSW the pride before last and made the decision I would not be able to be a part of any future events.

Good luck on Saturday--I'm sure you'll be great!

-W

Here is the response I received:

Well, Wes, the most I'm asking you is to stop by a tent and say howdy. That's a lot to ask I guess. Fuck pride! What do they do for us anyway...? Oh, yeah, support those of us who choose to be open and honest and real about our lives. I'm sure YOU do that every day. What's more publicity? Yeah, good luck to you too.

******

Haha. Uh, Wow. Is this the caliber of people we have running the forefront of our visibility? If that's the case what is the future of pride? As a gay man I believe I have pride 365 days a year and as we gain momentum and mainstream visibility do we still need the shock value of leather thongs and lashing queens? I don't know. When I can bring my kids to a pride parade and truly be proud of what I see I will know all the hard work we've been pouring into the community these last 30+ years were all worth it. Until then should we be more selective of who is getting the microphones in our community? I don't know. It's a question I pose to all of you.

With that said I am excited to head up and speak this year at San Francisco Pride. www.sfpride.org Their closing party is a rally at city hall with Mayor Gavin Newsom not a circuit party. This is what Pride means to me. Celebrating people who have made major and positive differences in the lives of the LGBT community--gay or straight. We have so many wonderful people and aspects to celebrate within our community and its supporters that we CAN do better with our prides, with each other and our visibility.


------------ Original Message ------------
Date: Jun 03, 2006 8:32 PM

I've been going to Oklahoma City Pride for three years and I thank God every summer when it comes around. I live about 2 hours outside the city and this is my only time to see that there are others like me, with no judgment, just celebration.

Chris, 22

----------- Original Message ------------
Date: Jun 09, 2006 1:07 AM

Wes, I like being gay but I just don't get prides. We put a bunch of guys in speedos on an open truck bed with some streamers and call it pride? I dunno to me sexploitation doesn't equal my gay pride.

Brian, Seattle

----------- Original Message ------------
Date: Jun 09, 2006 9:58 AM

I think pride is a time where we should show off the best we have to offer. I guess that means different things to different people but I love pride season. To see the streets filled with lesbians and gays when we usually just blend in.

Carrie

------------ Original Message ------------
Date: Jun 11, 2006 11:44 PM

Just got done dealing with LA gay pride bullshit... it was the lamest pride ever... It needs to be taken back to a political standing not this ridiculous sex/porno shit that it has become.... I'm actually really bitter about the whole thing...

-Steve

------------ Original Message ------------
Date: Jun 15, 2006 10:13 AM

WES! I saw you were in Montreal. Are you coming back for Pride? It's the best in Canada. It's going to be my mom's first pride!

-Marc
*******


SO, whatever it means to you...Happy Pride.

Wow. Well, I am back from Montreal an what an amazing city. It was hard to hop in that 5am cab and come back to the states. When the US federal government is debating the Federal Marriage Amendment and gay marriage is not only legal but openly accepted in Canada it is a bit difficult to come "home." What great people, a great time and a great mini adventure.

I went to Montreal on a press trip for the Outgames and the tourism board of Montreal. It was my first time in Montreal (except for a 3 hour lay-over on a via rail press trip last year) and I fell in love with the city just a little bit. What a perfect blend of North American and European culture. The people are so open and friendly and have no time for attitude or stress. The winters are so harsh that the summer months are a complete celebration with TONS of stuff going on every night of the week and the weekends are out of control. I slept 16 hours last night if that tells ya how jam packed my weekend was.

I met some amazing people and can not wait to head back for the games in August. The controversy between the Gaygames in Chicago and the Outgames in Montreal is very interesting. It seems as though the gay market is going to be able to sustain both games this go around. I'll be exploring this more in an article with Men's Chronicle.

Looks like the FMA was shot down again today. With all that is broken in our country I am so glad this administration felt the need to take three days out to debate the validity of gay marriage. History will look back at this debate with a very, very sad eye.

This is an email that was sent from a family member of mine, "Please ignore the President's prostituting himself for the support of the right wing and VOTE NO on the amendment banning Same Sex Marriage. The constitution was never intended for denying rights to US citizens."

Anyone else up for moving to Canada?

Montreal is absolutely amazing. I am here through Monday but already know it will be hard to leave on that early, early flight. :)

There is another journalist on the trip with me and life really does come full circle. Rex Wockner who was the first journalist I sat down with post Boy Meets Boy. We`ve been having a kick ass time catching up and seeing all Montreal has to offer.

We sat down to breakfast with Olympic Medalist Mark Tewksbury this morning for a Q&A about Outgames and his new book. Turns out we know each other as well. When he was first starting to write for Gay.com he was sent some of my travel articles. Very charming and intelligent man furthering the gay movement here in Montreal and world wide with Outgames.

1 minute left here at the cyber cafe. My laptop hardrive crashed this week leaving me to resort in french coffee houses in Montreal to reach the outside world. Atleast my highschool French is getting a workout. :)