Date: Sat, 09 May 1998 13:04:23 -0700 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release Combined Pride Update By Ray Carter It's been a tad busy, what with Easter, having a life, and an impending move. Neither Pacific NorthWest Pride nor the Freedom Day Committee rested on their laurels, however - between hurling brickbats at each other, they (and the community) took several significant - even startling - steps toward resolving who will organize what Pride 98 events. Thus, rather than the usual separate coverage of the two combatants, we feature a combined "let's get caught up" article. At last posting, Pacific Northwest Pride (PNWP) and Freedom Day Committee (FDC) were at full stalemate ahead . PNWP offered FDC an "event within an event", receiving a faxed rejection. FDC proposed a forum they would facilitate and design, receiving no response. Meanwhile, Aubrey Sparks and Janice Van Cleve invited both sides to a BBQ hoping to take the edges off of the various clashes of personality involved, but due to issues of process and timing PNWP declined. Both groups rejected suggestions of a community forum where both sides could openly present their proposals to attendee's. Meanwhile Breanna Anderson and I (both possessors of the accursed title, "Former FDC Co-Chair"), shuttled between meetings of both groups, and circulating letters urging compromise. Lesser efforts failing, Janice Van Cleve called a together a group of community leaders - current and former heads of various community groups, not unlike '95 Coalition Of Community Organizations (COCO) meetings striving towards a common goal - in this case ensuring Pride occurred. Present included George Bakan (SGN), Aubrey Sparks (Seattle Mr. Leather '94), Randy Henson (Tacky Tourists, etc.), Bill Ross (former FDC Co-Chair, Former Co-Chair HOW-Seattle), Terry Stone (NWAF), Jim Munoz (Mayor's Office), Janice Van Cleve (Harvey Muggey Democrats, LMA), Steve Parrish (GSBA), Cathy Kaufmann and Patrick Hogan (Equality Washington), Bryant Vehrs (Ingersoll/Transgender Community), Sarah Luthens (OutFront Labor), Ray Carter (Former FDC Co-Chair, writer, occasional rebel). The group approved a proposal offering both PNWP and FDC meaningful pieces of the Pride Day activities that played to each groups strengths, and offered a graceful way to compromise. Main features were: 1. PNWP take responsibility for the march and vendor portion; FDC take responsibility for the Rally and political portion. 2. Appointment of a presentation team to bring this proposal to both groups and help them get on board. The presentation team had authority to modify the proposal to fit requirements of either group. 3. Establishment of a 3 person mediation team to handle conflicts via binding arbitration from the time the proposal was adopted through Pride Day 98. One member of the mediation team would be chosen by each side, and these two representatives would choose a third person. Group representatives Randy Henson (of Tacky Tourist fame, FDC Founder, etcetera ad infinitum), Patricia Throop (FDC thrice-Former Co-Chair, Logistics Goddess, and all around good person), and Jim Munoz (Special Assistant to the Mayor, longtime community activist) presented the "community leaders" proposal to both groups on Sunday night, May 3rd, and coincidentally did a bit of reality therapy at each location. Particularly penetrating was the enunciation of city policy as presented directly through the city as opposed to the usual filtering through generations of oral tradition. It turns out the city really won't make a choice between the two groups, it really won't grant permits unless the controversy is settled, and it really won't support a bunch of folks "just getting together and doing it without permits". Subsequent to the presentation and a brief question and answer session over at the Pacific Northwest Pride meeting, the Leadership Trio departed for the Freedom Day Committee meeting on an identical mission, delivering the message of compromise. The Trio was greeted with such enthusiasm that a mediation representative from FDC was shortly appointed. Accompanying them in an extraordinary act of bravery was Scott Lay, Executive Director of Pacific Northwest Pride, he of the long and flowing locks. With but a single toss of his copiously coifed and spritzed auburn curls he ventured forth to the FDC meeting, certain of a chill reception. On arrival of the Lay, I am told silence reigned at the FDC, a remarkable if brief occurrence. The silence was followed by the presentation of the Trio from the Community Leaders group, followed by extensive questioning of Lay regarding PNWP procedures and rules. Things grew more constructive shortly after the Leadership Trio intervened, with both sides agreeing to meet on May 7 (since moved to May 8), mostly as a result of Lay's extraordinary self-possession and the willingness of many FDC members to engage openly and honestly in seeking compromise. According to some accounts, it was during this discussion that a communication breakdown became apparent - PNWP had sent several compromise offers of "event within an event" to FDC, verified receipt of the offers, but at some point between the transmission of the offers from the PNWP attorney to the eventual intended reception by the general body of FDC the communications link broke down. Apparently the general body was amazed to hear of PNWP's previous offer..... Since that happy meeting various rumblings continue in the background, most of them positive. Lay's willingness to talk and refusal to be provoked have borne fruit with the planned Friday meeting (5/8/98) sponsored by the Office of the Mayor and facilitated by the Leadership Trio, with three representatives of each group (PNWP and FDC) meeting to hammer out final details of an agreement allocating areas of responsibility and activity at the '98 Pride event. On the downside are various attempts to torpedo the whole affair by sundry parties demanding their entire group attend, attempting to float public counter-proposals, and various other sabotage. Some folks just like their drama more than they want a Pride Parade, I guess. With luck, PNWP and FDC will hammer out an agreement at this meeting - before the May 13 City Parks Department meeting scheduled to decide on permit issuance, or lack thereof. Pride, even in times of adversity, draws our diverse community together for a short time each year. Even through the animosity, personal attacks, and attacks of principle - the passion for Pride of both groups has been both obvious and tragic, compared by one observer to watching two cars about to crash in slow motion. More next week.... Pacific NorthWest Pride, 1122 East Pike Street, Suite 678, Seattle,Washington 98122 Phone: 206-346-0339 Meeting Weekly, 6pm at Four Angels Cafe Freedom Day Committee 1122 E Pike Suite 969 Seattle WA 98122 (206)292-1035. Meeting Weekly at Seattle Central Community College, Portable B-108 6pm, Sundays http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm