Hundreds Brave the Rain to Show Their Pride
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“Ask. Tell. Be Proud!” was the theme for this year’s march. It was aptly represented by our two Grand Marshals, Alix Dobkin, a pioneer of women’s music and Lesbian activism, and Nathanael Bodon, whose service to his country in Iraq was prematurely curtailed by the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. According to Lance Ringel, president of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, “Put in an untenable situation by an unjust and outmoded policy, Nathan responded with grace and dignity simply by being true to himself. And as a key figure in Lesbian/gay and women’s culture, Alix has been asking pointed questions, and telling her stories gloriously in song – and doing it proudly – for many years. Coming from very different perspectives, yet sharing a common bond, each personifies this year’s Pride theme: ‘Ask. Tell. Be Proud.’” |
The festival that followed in Hasbrouck Park featured 33 organizations brave enough to table in the intermittent rain. They were dedicated and supportive of the LGBTQ Community Center and each other throughout the day—they shared tents, held down papers, and greeted visitors with open arms and umbrellas! Special thanks go to our sponsors who help to make this event possible:
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Ulster Savings Bank
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa
Lots of Supporters Showed Up
We also want to thank the following groups who marched with us and tabled at the Festival to show their support for our community:
| Alliance for the Realization of Legal Equality | Lambda Peer Support Services | |
| AIDS-Related Community Services (ARCS) | Legacy Farm Cohousing | |
| Big Gay Hudson Valley | Long Term Care insurance - Alicia DeSio | |
| Cancer Services Program of Ulster County | Marriage Equality NY | |
| Climate Control Coalition of Hudson Valley | Maternal Infant Services Network | |
| Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church | Mid-Hudson Valley Transgender Association | |
| EPIC - NYS Prescription Savings Plan | Mid-Hudson Care Center | |
| Episcopal Churches of the Mid-Hudson Valley | Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC) | |
| FAMILY of Woodstock | Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley | |
| First Congregational, United Church of Christ, Poughkeepsie | PreHab & DJK | |
| Freestyle Frolic | Project Hodos, Saugerties United Church of Christ | |
| Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) | Solar Works | |
| Hudson River Housing | Step One Addiction Treatment | |
| Hudson Valley Out & About | The LOFT | |
| Institute for Family Health | Ulster Corps | |
| Kingston PFLAG |
Festival attendees were relieved to take refuge from the rain under the performance tent (thanks, Wells Fargo!) and were treated to many talented performers and moving speakers. Board member Leo Vogel did a great job as emcee and kept the stage moving smoothly through the afternoon’s entertainment. The Kristen Ford Band, a trio of young LGBTQ people from Boston, MA really rocked the crowd. India M and Barnacle Bill from NYC wowed us with their mix of rap, reggae and r&b. Gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss played some riveting songs, including a beautiful one about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that he dedicated to Nathan Bodon. The girls from the House of LeMay entertained us with the hilarious song about how the country needs US to make the USA. Two generations of women’s music were represented by Nedra Johnson, who will be performing at the 35th Michigan Women’s Music Festival this August, and Alix Dobkin, who performed at the first, and many subsequent, Michigan Festivals. Alix ended her set, and the afternoon’s entertainment, with her trademark Amazon ABCs. She was joined on stage by Festival stage producer and March co-chair, Retts Scauzillo, who was thrilled to sing with her.
March Committee Chair Retts Scauzillo wants to thank the March Committee: Noel Defino, Barbara Fried, John Martin, Gary Mauder, Yolanda Rieke, Lance Ringle, Vanessa Shelmadine, ISIS Vermouth, Bonnie Wagner, and countless volunteers for all their hard work and creativity.
Hundreds of revelers kept the spirit of the march alive by flocking to Truman’s for the Party After Pride. Emcee Isis Vermouth kept the crowd entertained with a retinue of drag performers (Frankie and the Frankettes, Johnnie Queer Boy, and the Kings of Fire) while PreHab and DJK kept the crowd moving and shaking. Everyone had a great time.
In the days leading up to the march and festival, over 250 people celebrated Pride Week, a new feature of Pride this year. Hosted by the Pride committee, and several groups that meet at the Center, Pride Week 2010 included a Tea Dance, a Celebration of Families, an Open Mic/Poetry Slam, a Penny Social, two film nights, plus a Wine & Cheese Social complete with piano bar hosted by the Board of Directors! All week long the Center buzzed with creativity, laughter, story, and song. Thanks to all who supported the events and to the groups who hosted, including PFLAG, the Men's Group, OLOC, and the Pride Committee!
Another new feature this year was the PridePass. For a donation of $20, the PridePass bearer could attend all Pride Week events and the Party After Pride at no additional cost. People who purchased the passes helped defray some of the upfront costs of the March, and enjoyed the convenience of showing their pass to enter events all week.