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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2005)
31 Pride Northwest: Stopped bitching and started organizing! by Sarah Dougher t is always easier, when vis- I iting an event like Pride, • to conjecture about how you might have done it better if consulted or given the opportu nity. The board members of Pride Northwest all have felt that way, too, and instead of sit ting, year after year, griping to their friends and families about how it might work better, they have gotten together to take on the biggest queer community event of the year. “I’m most looking forward to the event going off with as few problems as possible,” com ments board president Tobin Britton. “I think we are creat ing an event where each indi vidual can find something of Clockwise from left, Tobin Britton, Ady Oren, Pat Olson and Nicole themselves inside.” Active with Pride events for Browning work together at a Pride Northwest board meeting. the past six years, Britton start ed as a volunteer doing security. Eventually she was persuaded to get involved parade and show their pride. I’m looking for with the entertainment for the event, and with ward to meeting new volunteers and having the high board turnover, she was nominated to better, smwther-run Pride this year,” he says, become president for the 2005 event. Fund-raising and outreach coordinator “The most important part of it for me is par- Steph-Anie Wells calls herself a “volunteer ticipation,” Britton says. “I just saw myself as junkie" and has worked with many local organ one of those people who had ideas about how izations with her expertise in event planning. things might work better at Pride, and so I got She has planned events for TechnoDyke and more involved.” Fat Girl Speaks but thought she would try Treasurer Pat Olson felt the same way. Last something of a larger scale and got involved year, he drove the stagecoach for his employer, with the Pride Northwest board. Wells Fargo, and hosted the grand marshals in “At first I thought Pride was too mainstream his vehicle. for me,” she says, “but then I realized the people “I just didn’t think it was organized enough, that we do outreach to just don’t take us up on from a participant’s perspective,” he notes. it.” After that experience, he decided to act instead Wells is encouraged by some of the changes of bitch. Even though it takes up countless at this year’s Pride festival. She notes: “I think hours and untold menial and minuscule tasks, it will have a bigger-town feel. The sponsors are Olson finds working with Pride Northwest to different. The way the beer garden is set up is be incredibly rewarding. different. The food vendors are queer and “I think the most important part of Pride is queer-friendly restaurants from around town. that anyone and everyone can come out to the I feel like, on the whole, this Pride engages I NORTH PORTLAND ■ I □ PRIDE 1 0 0 a JOIN UJ IN CELEBRATION! Sunday, June 12 • Noon to 4:00 PM o FErnuflL ■FONBORKO BY TH« U nivcrbity P ark U nited M ithooibt C hurch and insurance. There just isn’t that kind of money in the local community, so we bring in national sponsors.” The real power of Pride comes from the col laboration and input of the community at the event each year. More than 100 volunteers do everything from monitor the parade route to work the gate at the festival ground. About half of those sign up in advance and are assigned tasks according to their abilities. “I love the weekend," says Browning. “I love the thrill of being involved and watching it all unfold, how excited and happy everyone is.” in If you would like to volunteer for PORTLAND PRIDE 2005 visit www.pridenw.<n%for registration information. eliminating racism empowering women ywca University Park United Methodist Church Bell Tower Lawn 4775 N Lombard • Portland OR 97203 ■ ■ ■ Kick off Pride Week with food, music, vendor tables and good company. ■ w X ■ C t more community members to have hands-on participation.” This collaborative approach is what encour ages board member Nicole Browning, who is working on entertainment and sponsorship for this year’s festival. “Pride is great for me and for the community because of the interaction we have with city and county officials, as well as local businesses. It gives us visibility that I think is very important.” Although Browning believes there really is something for everyone at this year’s Pride, she is also sensitive to criticism about corporate sponsorship. “We have critics that say we shouldn’t take corporate sponsorship, but this event is not free. It costs between $15,000 and $20,000 for the parade permit, festival ground Vendors include North Portland resources, neighbors, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, housing developers and others. ■ ■ ■ This is a free community event open to all. More information available at http://www.upumc.net Greater Portland health & wellness services Portland, OR 97205 (503) 294-7400 homeless services
