Oh No! Someone said the PRIDE Movement was Irrelevant?
“Whistler believes the Pride movement is no longer relevant.”
That’s what the press release said, anyway. But seriously, is that even possible? With WinterPride 2013 officially kicked-off in our fair haven and a huge influx of the Pride community enjoying Whistler, is this really a statement anyone should be making?
The Pride movement, not relevant?
Well, it is the question being asked in what is sure to be a hot topic debate at the Whistler Museum this week. Winter Pride, the Whistler Museum, and the best website in Whistler – that’d be us (like we had to tell you) – have teamed up for the third rendition of our Whistler Debates series and we’re asking just that: Is the pride movement ending?
Jeff Slack of the Whistler Museum comments, “While no one is contesting the major advances won by Pride advocates over the last several decades, there is growing disagreement about how such strategies from the past represent the contemporary LGBTQ community.”
And while it does seem like the Pride movement has moved away from its’ grassroots and subversive nature (think Howl and the obscenity trial of the 1950’s) and moved towards something to help sell widgets by flying the rainbow during WinterPride, are there still significant advances to be made and should there be a rethink of how to win those battles? Are queer politics moving from the realm of civil rights to just plain oddity?
Dean Nelson of Gay Whistler says, “Prides from around the world are all at different stages of their evolution. Some are just beginning and are very politically driven, while others are fully established and are focused more on culture and entertainment. I believe the debate will focus more on the established prides as they move from a grassroots volunteer driven organization to a corporation of being a sustainable organization.”
What say you? Make your voice heard and hear the opinions of our debaters Wednesday, February 6th at the Whistler Museum. The doors are at 7pm and the debate begins at 8pm. To purchase tickets call the Whistler Museum at 604.932.2019 or visit the WinterPride ticket kiosk.
In the mean time, checkout the bio’s from each of our debaters below.
(1) The 411 (2) Rick Hurlbut (3) Adam Adams (4) Chris Morrissey
Rick Hurlbut
Rick has been actively involved with the gay community since entering Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in 1980, where he helped to found Ryerson Lesbians & Gay Men. Moving to Edmonton in 1982, he also helped found Gays & Lesbians on Campus at the University of Alberta.
His volunteer work includes board positions with the Gay & Lesbian Business Association of BC, the (then) Davie Village BIA, the Vancouver Pride Society and the Bob Loblaw Queer Arts Society.
His academic credentials consist of a BA in recreation and leisure studies, with a specialty in community development, and training as a travel consultant.
After 15 years in retail travel, during which he also had his own travel agency for 5 years, Rick has moved into gay travel journalism, specializing in business-to-business newsgathering and commentary.
In recognition of work to promote GLBT tourism, Rick was selected as one of four Grand Marshalls of the 2001 Vancouver Pride Parade. He has lived in Vancouver since 1991 with Dan, his partner of 30 years.
Adam Adams
Adam is proud to be post-Pride. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Pride was an interesting notion to Adam when he was out in high school. Now, 15 years later, this happily married man with a handsome husband and an incredibly well behaved lab-cross, finds that he’s totally over pride.
Adam, who holds an undergrad in Criminology from U of A, is a Personal Banking assistant with the Scotiabank. He currently is in possession of the largest collection of coordinating ties and shirts he has ever owned. If you renew your mortgage with him, he might give you one.
On the West Coast since 2003, Adam has called Pemberton home for the past five years.
Chris Morrissey
Chris retired 3 years ago and now spends her time playing Luminosity every day to help her brain functioning. When not playing games, she is involved in the world of emails and wwws.
She has lived and worked in 7 countries and only speaks 2 languages! She has been a teacher, an organizer, activist and a troublemaker. She was the coordinator Qmunity’s Generations Project, volunteers with LEGIT and Rainbow Refugee Society, and currently is the Chair of the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee.
She and her partner have been together for 35 years. Oh, and by the way together they spent their youth in the convent, came out on National TV and keep stirring the pot!
