STAND UP
DAPHNE
STORM
AT THE EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD
PRIDE FESTIVAL
Liberal or conservative,
you should go to Pride
A
s a student at a local Christian college, I am probably
the most conservative person at Eugene Weekly. I want
to attend Pride to show my neighbors that they and their
concerns are important to me. I suggest other conserva-
tives to do the same.
The 26th annual Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival
welcomes hundreds of attendees, especially families, to
its Aug. 12 celebration. “This is the one Pride event that is
kid friendly, positive and not alcohol focused. Have a good
time and make sure we enjoy each other’s company,” says
volunteer coordinator Vince Mays. “We are a community of
minorities that come together on an annual basis to express
who we are and ensure a safe space to celebrate our culture.
We welcome everyone.”
Should straight people attend and show their support?
Absolutely. “We can’t do it without them,” Mays says.
But the festival is not only about celebrating victories.
“Different subcultures in our community are being
attacked,” Mays tells EW. He soberly points out rising
transgender murder rates. “While we are enjoying the fruits of
our labors in the past, like marriage laws, there are folks who
are not protected right now in our community.”
This in itself is a reason for conservatives to come out to
the park: We can agree that violence towards human beings
is wrong.
On the lighter side, the festival features live performances
from groups such as the Work Dance Company (Eugene’s
gay dance group), Glamazons (a drag cabaret) and Unveiled:
Eugene’s Queer Burlesque.
Drag queen comedian Pandora Boxx (of RuPaul’s Drag
Race, Season 2) will entertain with a performance at 4:45 pm.
There will be an opportunity to meet her and snap a selfie after
the show.
A secondary stage will host group art projects, exhibits
from local LGBTQ artists and group discussions on gender
identity and sexuality.
Vendors will offer food, drinks and rainbows. The Wayward
Lamb has sponsored the beer garden. Organizers have planned
a fantastic raffle for prizes ranging from a GoPro to hotel stays
to luggage.
Nonprofits supported by Eugene Pride will also have
a presence, including the HIV Alliance, which offers free
testing all day.
I’m not asking my fellow conservatives to be comfortable
at Pride. I’m asking them to love their neighbors. Love is hard,
and if anyone knows that, it’s the LGBTQ community that has
endlessly fought for it. ■
The Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival takes place noon to 6 pm Saturday, Aug. 12,
at Alton Baker Park. FREE, $5 suggested donation.
@chillysgarden
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beads
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ECLIPSE 2017
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