In Case You Were Wondering
Let me first start by saying that my family had a kick-butt time at the PRIDE festivities in Charleston last Sunday. We took our 10 and 7 year old and set up a booth selling small pride items and letting people know about Proud Families.
This was such a fun, networking experience for everyone involved.
We met two fellow writers for the Lesbian Lair and spoke with large numbers of both professional gay organizations and everyday janes like us, who just wanted to relax with one another.
The parade included several churches and businesses willing to involve the gay community- both kids went home with pockets of candy and a new appreciation for their parents' lifestyle.
My girl proudly wrapped a rainbow flag around her and walked up and down Capitol Street handing our business cards. Our son visited with a church organization offering face painting and fun for children.
During our visit, I realized just how much we need something like this in Parkersburg.
While I was unable to make it to the initial Parkersburg Pride 2010 organizational meeting, I did express my concerns to Terry about the need for making our local event kid-friendly.
We brought our son to the Parkersburg event last year and was quite embarrassed by the displays of behavior exhibited. We took turns leaving with our son because of all the cursing and sexual conduct around us.
Before you critize me- please know that we are not prudes. But can we not enjoy drag shows and entertains who don't spend their time on stage cursing? Can we not find vendors like the HRC and FAIRNESSWV? What about PFLAG? If we don't know an active group, doesn't anyone care? Why are we not inviting churches, businesses and banks that are gay-friendly to be involved?
Can we not find groups interested in offering kids events? I am sure I can find some local teens who'd love to face paint and color with children at our local pride event.
What do you think? Can we do this year's pride event and do it right? Let's make this an event I can bring my mother to! More importantly, let's make this an event we can print our children to.
Heck I don't care if my kids watch a drag show, as long as it is tasteful and the ladies act like ladies.
Seriously, am I way off base with my thoughts? I watched a Mountwood employee who stopped up to the show last year pull her children out because it was just too much sexual inuendo for her liking.
Please email me with your thoughts. I not only look forward to reading them, I look forward to posting them in my column.... photogirl26101@suddenlink.net or jensgirl@portraitsbyjeanna.com. You can text me your replies at 304.991.7147.
I look forward to hearing from you....
Jeanna
As always, get ahold of me with any comments or questions at photogirl26101@suddenlink.net or befriend me on facebook- user name Jeanna Cooper! I'd love to hear from you.