Atlanta Pride turns away HRC sponsorship over trans fight
Festival says national gay rights group not 'inclusive' enough
By MATT SCHAFER, Southern Voice | May 8, 11:11 AM
http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18178 (http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18178)
The Atlanta Pride Committee decided last week to decline a sponsorship from the Human Rights Campaign over the national gay political group's support for a version of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act that did not include "gender identity" as a protected category.
Atlanta Pride Executive Director Donna Narducci said $5,000 from HRC was not worth jeopardizing the festival's outreach to transgender people. (File photo)
Atlanta Pride Executive Director Donna Narducci said the Pride Committee felt they had to turn down the $5,000 sponsorship in order to make Georgia's transgender community feel welcome at the three-day Pride festival, slated for the Atlanta Civic Center over the July 4 weekend. HRC will still be allowed to participate in the festival's market and parade.
Good! This is the way to get them to sit up and take notice.
It's about time we started slapping those jerks in the face.
I tried to have a serious and friendly conversation about this with an officer of HRC recently. She couldn't get away fast enough.
Bleh!
Atlanta Pride turns away HRC sponsorship over trans fight
Festival says HRC not 'inclusive' enough
By MATT SCHAFER
MAY. 9, 2008
http://www.southernvoice.com/2008/5-9/news/localnews/8518.cfm (http://www.southernvoice.com/2008/5-9/news/localnews/8518.cfm)
The Atlanta Pride Committee decided last week to decline a sponsorship from the Human Rights Campaign over the national gay political group's support for a version of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act that did not include "gender identity" as a protected category. (See related story, below)
Atlanta Pride Executive Director Donna Narducci said the Pride Committee felt they had to turn down the $5,000 sponsorship in order to make Georgia's transgender community feel welcome at the Pride festival, slated for the Atlanta Civic Center over the July 4 weekend. HRC will still be allowed to participate in the festival's market and parade.
Wow. I'm incredibly proud of my Pride committee... ironically, it's quite a change for me.
Lia
Kudos to Atlanta Pride for refusing the HRC monetary support.
Also, to those who have expressed their displeasure with HRC in whatever way they could, good on ya, I say! I confronted them when I lived in Washington, DC. They need lots more pressure but Atlanta Pride's decision is a good, high-profile start.
Everyone, a lot of individual pressure can make a heavy load for HRC. Please, keep it up!
Wing Walker
Posted on: May 10, 2008, 01:21:07 AM
Quote from: genovais on May 10, 2008, 12:38:12 AM
Wow. I'm incredibly proud of my Pride committee... ironically, it's quite a change for me.
Lia
Please excuse me for going off-topic.
Lia, your surgery is four days away and I am so happy for you! May you mend quickly and enjoy life to the max!
Wing Walker
Thanks, WW (is that pronounced "Quadruple-U?"). I arrived in Thailand late last night. It is crazy hot.
Lia
Atlanta Pride Rejects HRC Sponsorship
Link (http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19694051&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568857&rfi=6)
5/15/2008
"The Atlanta Pride Committee is refusing to take a $5,000 sponsorship from the Human Rights Campaign because the lobby group supported the version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that had dropped transgender protections."