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Indybay Feature

Gay Shame Confronts "Budweiser Pride"

by Gay Shame (gayshamesf [at] yahoo.com)
San Francisco-- Sunday, June 30, 11am at Ninth and Mission Streets, Gay Shame will confront the consumerism, blind patriotism, and assimilationist agenda of the SF Pride Parade. Gay Shame will be a festival of resistance, a mobilization of creative insanity that challenges queers (and everyone) to celebrate our identities in radical, transformative ways, rather than just buying a bunch of crap.

GAY SHAME CONFRONTS “BUDWEISER PRIDE”

Contact #: (415)540-2947

San Francisco-- Sunday, June 30, 11am at Ninth and Mission Streets, Gay Shame will confront the consumerism, blind patriotism, and assimilationist agenda of the SF Pride Parade. Gay Shame will be a festival of resistance, a mobilization of creative insanity that challenges queers (and everyone) to celebrate our identities in radical, transformative ways, rather than just buying a bunch of crap.

SF Pride has become little more than a giant opportunity for companies to target market products to gay consumers. This year, SF Pride has gone off the deep end by adapting the Budweiser advertising slogan for it’s official theme (Budweiser is one of SF Pride’s Principal Sponsors). “Be Yourself—Make It a Bud” has become “Be Yourself—Change the World.” Gay Shame will encourage queers to vomit out “Budweiser Pride,” and the sale of queer identities that this represents.

Gay Shame will encourage Pride-goers to “Put Patriotism Back in the Closet” where it belongs. We will confront gay realtors, gay elected officials, gay cops, gays in the military, and other members of the supposed “gay community” whose vision of “gay rights” goes no further than their ability to oppress others with impunity. Gay Shame will bring Pride back to its roots as a grass-roots struggle for liberation.


GAY SHAME is a radical alternative to consumerist “pride” crap. We are committed to a queer extravaganza that brings direct action to astounding levels of theatricality in order to expose the evildoers who use the sham of gay “pride” as a cover-up for their greed and misdeeds. We seek nothing less than a new queer activism that addresses issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, to counter the self-serving “values” of the gay mainstream. We are dedicated to fighting the rabid assimilationist monster of corporate gay “pride” with a devastating mobilization of queer brilliance. With GAY SHAME festivals erupting from New York to Stockholm, Toronto to Barcelona, GAY SHAME is rapidly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. GAY SHAME is a celebration of resistance: all are welcome.
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by pointer
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/06/133834.php
by Transgress
Right-fucking-on! In a country where corporations and politicians will co-opt ANYTHING (Willie Brown's exploitive 'open for business' billboards, for instance) to make another buck, it's about fucking time that the concept of 'gay pride' was wrenched back from the hands of beer companies, clothing corps, and all the big ugly capitalists looking to line their wallets with rainbow-colored dollars. Gay Shame!
by works for me
So the point of Gay pride is to be open and honest with the world, to participate fully in it, and yet to prevent the world from participating in Gay culture? And this is progress? I guess gays don't drink Budweiser, drive Toyotas, and fly Southwest. And here I thought I was enlightened because I believed gays were just like everyone else. Guess I was wrong.

Now I'm guessing Gay Shame won't permit me to come to their parade since I'm not gay and I work for a corporation -- but if I were to sneak onto the street, would I see naked festival of gay people? I mean, gays buy their clothing from the same manufacturers I do, so in order to divest themselves from the big bad commercial corporations, they will have to divest themselves of their clothes, right?
by DissyFaggot
What About AIDS Inc.? They are far worst then any beer comany could be. Seems to me this might be another "gay group" in denial about the corporate AIDS machine that pushes toxic drugs and homophobic messages down gay men's throats. HIV IS A HOMOPHOBIC LIE!
by protester
You seem to have the message wrong, try reading it again. No one is keeping anyone out - all are welcome. I'm sorry to hear that you work for a corporation - maybe you could consider a new line of work, like teaching or working for a nonprofit. It's better for your health.
by Michelle
To the person who made the remarks about Gay Shamers having to go naked lest be hypocritical: There are alternatives to Prada and Old Navy. I make my own clothes or buy from independent mom and pop stores. So, if that's you're argument...maybe you should think of a new one. I am also sorry that you work for a corporation.

Seeing the gay community go by on floats adorned with Smirnoff and Bud Light propaganda makes me infurated. Gay pride is a movement not a market, an all of our gay brothers and sisters who fought for gay rights in the 60's, 70's and 80's would be embarassed over what gay pride has become.

We have gone from Stonewall to Bud Light and that's progress? The fact that Coca-Cola veiws us as A+ consumers is something to be proud of?

I went to gay shame today and my only complaint is that they weren't radical ENOUGH. We should have mae a bigger scene...hopefully nexy year.
by Michelle
To the person who made the remarks about Gay Shamers having to go naked lest be hypocritical: There are alternatives to Prada and Old Navy. I make my own clothes or buy from independent mom and pop stores. So, if that's you're argument...maybe you should think of a new one. I am also sorry that you work for a corporation.

Seeing the gay community go by on floats adorned with Smirnoff and Bud Light propaganda makes me infurated. Gay pride is a movement not a market, an all of our gay brothers and sisters who fought for gay rights in the 60's, 70's and 80's would be embarassed over what gay pride has become.

We have gone from Stonewall to Bud Light and that's progress? The fact that Coca-Cola veiws us as A+ consumers is something to be proud of?

I went to gay shame today and my only complaint is that they weren't radical ENOUGH. We should have mae a bigger scene...hopefully next year.
by SFGirl
To the person who made the remarks about Gay Shamers having to go naked lest be hypocritical: There are alternatives to Prada and Old Navy. I make my own clothes or buy from independent mom and pop stores. So, if that's you're argument...maybe you should think of a new one. I am also sorry that you work for a corporation.

Seeing the gay community go by on floats adorned with Smirnoff and Bud Light propaganda makes me infurated. Gay pride is a movement not a market, an all of our gay brothers and sisters who fought for gay rights in the 60's, 70's and 80's would be embarassed over what gay pride has become.

We have gone from Stonewall to Bud Light and that's progress? The fact that Coca-Cola veiws us as A+ consumers is something to be proud of?

I went to gay shame today and my only complaint is that they weren't radical ENOUGH. We should have mae a bigger scene...hopefully next year.
by Mark Major (BCgecko [at] aol.com)
The question of a hetero-identified person enjoying the march is certainly one that we should all be asking. Any movement without the generous support of allies is not a movement at all. But what about queer people enjoying the march as well. As far as I could see this year's pride was all about white gay men and the corporate interests that they seem to represent. Sure, there were many incredible and formidable groups marching in the parade (such as various AIDS groups, communities of color and queer youth) but who's agenda is being furthered with the bud and smirnoff floats?

During the celebration after the parade I had the extreme DISpleasure of visiting the smirnoff twist booth where a couple (a man and a woman) were dancing in the center with bottles of the new twisted drink. Aren't we glad that not only our identities can be exploited, but now we are nearly fully accepted into the capitalistic market economy? I certainly am not. We must not believe that inclusion into facets of the market economy (mostly stocks of alcohol mind you) will gain us equality in governance or protection from dominant queer-phobic society. Just because we're consumers doesn't mean that we have rights.

And about the police......where should one start? While enjoying the AA Nightmare of pride I had a conversation with two women from Amsterdam. They agreed that the police were violent and thought that something must be done, but criticized the way in which Gay Shame participants and others in the crowd verbally attacked the police for their gross handling of pride events, and direct discrimination of transgendered people. But in all honesty, what is a verbal attack compared to incarceration for peaceful protest? To her I could only say that the Netherlands is a socialist country, not AS deeply rooted in capitalist ideologies as we, the US of A, truly are. To the police of San Francisco, I chastise you for your gross handling of GAY WHITE MAN's pride. Although bud's interests certainly seem to be upheld. I chastise those of you were in favor of not signing on for the protection of trannies, and I chastise the SFPD for perpetuating inequality by not permitting peaceful protest. SHAME SHAME SHAME.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP DOES NOT EQUAL HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY OR PRIDE. corporate sponsorship leads to the perpetuation of the oppressive market economy. END CORPORATE PRIDE.
by works for me
Ms., Michelle, SFGirl, et. al. --

Yes, corporate/commercial sponsorship is progress for, as you pointed out, it signifies a remarkable change in attitude. And while Gay Shame is protesting commercial sponsorship, they should stop and review the sponsors list (http://www.sfpride.org/sponsors.htm) -- I'm betting they do business with more than a few of the corporations.

Now consider the entry fees prior 4/2 for: non-profit organizations, $50; local businesses, $300 (with eligibility for a 50% discount); and national businesses, $5,000 -- they paid a hefty fee for the privilege to attend a public event. Also consider that every person or entity must sign a contract that obligates them to meet two important requirements (http://www.sfpride.org/forms/ParadeApp_2002.pdf):

1) "This contract affirms that the individual (Category A), organization, agency or business named below is in accord with the purposes and objectives of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee (SFLGBTPCC). These are outlined in the Mission Statement, which reads" 'The Mission of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee is to educate the World, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture and, liberate our people."

2) "Signature of this contract also affirms that the individual, organization, agency or business named does not discriminate in hiring, employment, participation or services rendered based on the fact or perception of a person's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, marital status, disability, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or HIV status."

So while you feel no shame in being discriminatory, ask yourself what does progress really mean -- is it universal accessibility or just gaining the power to discriminate against others.

P.S. Great, you make your own clothes -- how many else do?

So while those corporations must

http://www.sfpride.org/forms/ParadeApp_2002.pdf
by Michelle
Sorry about the multiple posts there. To The last poster: well put. You have put it much more eloquently than I was able to at three am!

Additionally, the Pride Parade spit in the face of all clean and sober queers with the prepostorous amount of alcohol laden imagery and sponsorship. Does being queer equal being an alcoholic?

Obviously, if you are sober there is no place for you at Gay Pride as well.
by Michelle
Well, if there was a clean and sober contingent...then that's perfect irony.

by Laughing Skeptic
Did it occur to you that the man and the woman dancing there could have been a bisexual couple? Of course not. Lesbians, trans, and gay people always forget the bisexuals that make up the B in LGBTA. As a bisexual, I resent the implication that two people of different sexes are somehow mimicing heterosexual society. I love women just as I love men. But that isn't acceptable to you, is it? I should cut off the part of myself that you don't like, that resembles a society that you despise.

For all your high talk, homemade clothing, and fancy words, you are no better than any white gay capitalist.
by Michelle
I was simply saying that the amount of alcohol ads was overwhelming. I am not saying that alcohol ads should be banned (all ads should!), or that queers who drink are bad. I was simply making an observation.

The observation is that almost every 4th float had some kind of alcohol ad on it. I would say the same thing of there were a large amount of shoe ads or sandwich ads.

It's hard not to notice a theme happening there.

And to the "Laughing Skeptic"...I didn't make that comment about a man and woman dancing together. Someone else made that post.

So, I make my own clothes. Alot of people do. What's the big deal?

by Jletta
The Dyke March doesn't have any corporate sponsorship, and it is a fabulous and fun event.

I went to the Dyke March INSTEAD of the Pride Parade simply because it is grassroots and feels more genuine.

So no, you do not NEED corporate sponsorship. The March on Washington didn't have corporate sponsorship and Stonewall didn't have logos. There is no reason why we need to be sponsored by multi-million dollar companies who don't give a shit about gay pride.
by alexb
Do you know how the Dyke March pays it's expenses and how much they are? The March is great but the Pride Celebration runs for two days, has 750,000 to 1,000,000 people attending, ten Community Stages in addition to the Main Stage. They gave out over $100,000 last year to community non-profits like PAWS, The St. James Infirmary, Postive Resource Center, Bay Area Two Spirits and many others. I read some where that the Committe that puts on the Event has policies about not taking Corporate sponsorships from Coors, tabacco companies, pharmaceutical companies and the like. So tell me what does that leave them? nessies interview with Pride board member Joey Cain is interesting. I think it is encouraging that the Board itself has members that are looking for ways to diminish large corporate presence in their funding sources. As far as their slogan this year goes I would doubt that they would have intentionally chosen a sponsors slogan as their own. I believe the slogan is actually chosen by the membership of the organization, not the Board. Actually Gay Shame's name sounds like some homophobic fundamentalist's slogan.
by works for me
Jletta , you can't be serious --

"There is no reason why we need to be sponsored by multi-million dollar companies who don't give a shit about gay pride."

Who do you think works at those corporations? Only people who aren't represented by the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee (SFLGBTPCC)? Get real. Do you really believe gays are some special breed of people that can't be sullied by the mere presence of a commercial sponsor?

Meanwhile, Dykes on Bikes are driving around on motorcycles made by corporations proudly displaying their trademark and half the crowd is wearing some article of clothing blatantly tagged with a fashionable logo – and that doesn’t infringe upon the integrity of the parade?
by Jletta
The Dyke March is not SUPPORTED by corporate sponsorship. We all have to wear clothes...and yes, corporations make bikes. You are simply arguing semantics.

Gay Shame is a movement for a reason, and alot of people agree with their philosophy. If you don't like it, you don't have to participate....just as I do not have to participate in a Gay Pride sell-out.

To each his own. But I'll be damned if I'll sit back and watch what was once a strong and powerful movement be turned into a walking commercial procession.

I don't think civil and human rights should have any commercial tags attached to them.
by works for me
J--
I would say the semantics are working against you. You've grown so accustomed to seeing corporate logos and advertising (a la clothing, et. al.) that you no longer consider that a commercial presense, but it is. Does that make it any better? No, because it's hypocritical and it's your comfort level with the familiar that is blinding you.

Furthermore, human rights does have a very real connection to corporate sponsorship. As you've read from a previous posting of mine, signators of the Gay Pride entry form must be EOE employers that do not practice discrimination based on a myriad of factors. Therefore, these corporate sponsors provide meaningful employment opportunities for the Gay community.

Finally, to assume that these corporations sponsorsing of a PUBLIC have no regard for human rights is highly prejudicial. How do you know that? It;s beyond me how can anyone associated with a Gay Rights movement practice prejudice and exclusion.
by laura
The Dyke March is entirely community supported. It does not want, have, or accept corporate sponsorship as a basic principle. The Dyke March organizers pay for the expenses with t-shirt sales (some still available on the web site!), community benefits, and much walking through the crowd with buckets asking for donations from the dykes and other folks at the park and during the March. The March also gets a small (small!) amount of money from the city, which helps make it accessible to disabled dykes and those with mobility issues. It also asks for donations from local organizations and businesses to help cover the costs of the porta-potties.

The expenses are mostly for the stage and sound equipment in the park, the truck, toilets, and the disability access stuff (parking, shuttle, etc.) If we had more resources, we could do a lot more (like pay the performers or bring in bands from out of town) but there are limits on how much we can fundraise. There is no paid staff, just a lot of hard-working volunteers.

If you went to the March and have feedback, feel free to send it to info [at] dykemarch.org
by Mitchell (mitch-h [at] mindspring.com)
Someone wrote here, "Gay pride is a movement not a market, an all of our gay brothers and sisters who fought for gay rights in the 60's, 70's and 80's would be embarassed over what gay pride has become."

As one such person, I can say that this is true -- to a degree. I found this year's celebration -- even Pink Saturday this year -- fairly devoid of gay content, or, for that matter, much cultural creativity or excitement. And the rampant commercialism certainly sticks in my craw

On the other hand, we're no more (and no less) a part of some "coalition of the oppressed" than we are a market. The problem may actually be with ALL those who want to enlist us in their agendas, and skew the matter of sexual orientation to benefit their own political or commercial vision.

For that matter, I object to being disenfranchised as a gay male -- for BEING a gay male -- except as a consumer. I fought for my own freedom, among others', and I don't appreciate now being labelled merely as "priveliged," and somehow undeserving of the opportunity to celebrate whatever freedom I've fought and suffered to gain, and may have now (partially) won.

For that matter, the Gay Shame awards last month involved a fair amount of ageism in their disparagement of older gay men's sexuality. It seems to me that focusing on the needs of gay youth needn't be at the expense of those of us who recognize the attractiveness of youth, but who may have left our young days behind in our own lives. Rubbing older men's noses in the loss of their youth is as cruel as ridiculing those of us who can't afford designer clothes or who don't drink Smirnoff or Bud. Again, promoting one sub-subcultural agenda at the expense of others is merely a manifestation of an overall lack of community and mutual respect -- a symptom of the larger problem, not a cure.

I also don't appreciate the notion that celebration consists merely of a show of corporate approval -- which seems unfortunately, to be (with cruel irony) the one matter on which both sides in this debate seem to agree when it comes to the ways in which gay white men might identify themselves!

The use of the term "assimilation" is also disingenuous. The question is what we're being asked to assimilate *into*, and each side in this debate has an agenda here. "Diversity" cuts in lots of different ways.

Finally, however, I question the need to spend so much money on this celebration that there comes to be a need for overbearing corporate sponsorship.

I chaired the Rally Committee in NYC in 1977 (the year of Anita Bryant's homophobic campaign), and was able to get Lou Reed and Patti Smith to perform before 100,000 people that year -- and somehow we managed to bring all this off without being a string of walking commercials. In order to celebrate our liberation joyously, do we really need the ten stages, the generic food booths, and the other accoutrements (including the payment of large fees to everyone from Willie Brown's city government to commerical stage acts, and the need for a fence to separate "official" from "ordinary" celebrants of queer freedom), or would we be better off just to let the event happen, and for us to have the time of our lives with each other (which, believe it or not, doesn't necessarily require spending one red cent)? Again, it's been done before... and the result can actually be a better party.

If the question is whether we're a movement or a market, the answer (in the real world) is that (like it or not) we're both, and that neither sums up all we are. Maybe we could all do better with fewer labels, except one called "free."
by Mitchell (mitch-h [at] mindspring.com)
One other comment on "Gay Shame" vs. Gay pride...

I don't have a problem with the parade committee using the motto "Be yourself -- change the world!" In a way, it even mocks the commercialism of the Budweiser slogan, twisting it to make a positive statement.

Sometimes it helps to have a sense of humor...
by anti-corporate bisexual
I agree, Mitchell. Most of these corporate slogans are appropriated
from the people, of course. So let's just take 'em right back, re-invest them with real meaning and not let the power of words be stolen and kept from the PEOPLE. JUST FUCKING DO IT!
by laura
Local organizations supporting the Dyke March include community groups like the Queer Cultural Center, NCLR, and the LGBTQ Community Center, and local businesses like Good Vibes and Rainbow Grocery. They get a warm fuzzy feeling, a thank you letter, and a sign on the porta-potty. That and the gratitude of all the women standing in line to pee!
by Chris Jennings
This is not a site about Gay Pride. It is a site about a Marxist social agenda. If that is your political platform, that is your right but many of us preferm a Capitalsit economy as opposed to a communist one. In reality neother work as advirtised, but separate your economic pilitics from your sexuality. The fact that Gays are able to join the mainstream is the best thing to ever happen to us. Leae that part of our life alone while you persume your political beliefs. "Make your own cloths", give me a break. I am gay. That does'nt mean I can sew worth shit. I've also worked in a communist society and believe me, I ran back home just as fast as I could get my butt on the plane.
by get your facts straight
>It is a site about a Marxist social agenda. If that is your political platform, that is your right but many of us preferm a Capitalsit economy as opposed to a communist one.

Ths "Marxist social agenda" is anti-capitalist in name only. In real life, it is state monopolopy capitalism. Think USSR Inc., one big company town. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. A boss is a boss is a boss. Hang 'em all.
by our best moment
gay shame takes great pride in promoting the march of Oct 25th "We are happy to lead you in this great cause" - gay shame member

we wish to thank the many other groups that helped us with the details in putting this togeather

you where all wonderful!
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