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Media credentialing office at Pride discriminates.
Exclusion and discrimination by the Pride media credentialing office!
Discrimination exists even amongst our allies!
For the last 8 years I have been covering the Pride celebration in San Francisco, not only as an out transsexual but also as a producer of a public access TV show called Tranny Talk. I have given that event nothing but positive media coverage. And every year I obtained media passes. Every year I have been treated with respect and dignity by the media credentialing department, BUT not this year.
Several months before the event starts Pride makes media fill out and fax or mail forms to prove we are legit.
I did that, but when I went to the media credentialing table on Saturday at 10 am the person in charge was disrespectful and did not give me the appropriate passes to photograph or video tape the parade. Instead of the passes I got a statement, well if you come to the media table at Beale street on the day of the parade I may be able to accommodate you. No guarantees, just a maybe.
So when I contacted the person in charge, Ray West by email, he gave me nothing but stories. He was not responsive to my needs and when I emailed him he continuously blamed the matter on me. It's not my fault I need passes to photograph a parade. Freedom of the Press dictates just that; FREEDOM.
Lets keep in mind I am an independent journalist, and
a recent grad from San Francisco State in the Radio and TV department, so I am confident enough to say I know what I am doing.
The reason for the story is that everyone discriminates all the time. It does not matter if your straight gay, lesbian, or bisexual; people will discriminate.
And at this time I feel the media credentialing office at Pride discriminated against me. So since I am not happy next year I will NOT cover Pride in San Francisco, and I will NOT attend that event. Who cares one less transsexual at Pride won't hurt anyone.
(I want to add that the Pride safety monitors were nice and were responsive to my needs and even gave us a lunch.)
(I also want to add, that in order to get a word in at the Trans march one of my supporters, friend and ally Denise had to go to the planners of Trans March and raise hell with them)
Story by Dina Boyer
For the last 8 years I have been covering the Pride celebration in San Francisco, not only as an out transsexual but also as a producer of a public access TV show called Tranny Talk. I have given that event nothing but positive media coverage. And every year I obtained media passes. Every year I have been treated with respect and dignity by the media credentialing department, BUT not this year.
Several months before the event starts Pride makes media fill out and fax or mail forms to prove we are legit.
I did that, but when I went to the media credentialing table on Saturday at 10 am the person in charge was disrespectful and did not give me the appropriate passes to photograph or video tape the parade. Instead of the passes I got a statement, well if you come to the media table at Beale street on the day of the parade I may be able to accommodate you. No guarantees, just a maybe.
So when I contacted the person in charge, Ray West by email, he gave me nothing but stories. He was not responsive to my needs and when I emailed him he continuously blamed the matter on me. It's not my fault I need passes to photograph a parade. Freedom of the Press dictates just that; FREEDOM.
Lets keep in mind I am an independent journalist, and
a recent grad from San Francisco State in the Radio and TV department, so I am confident enough to say I know what I am doing.
The reason for the story is that everyone discriminates all the time. It does not matter if your straight gay, lesbian, or bisexual; people will discriminate.
And at this time I feel the media credentialing office at Pride discriminated against me. So since I am not happy next year I will NOT cover Pride in San Francisco, and I will NOT attend that event. Who cares one less transsexual at Pride won't hurt anyone.
(I want to add that the Pride safety monitors were nice and were responsive to my needs and even gave us a lunch.)
(I also want to add, that in order to get a word in at the Trans march one of my supporters, friend and ally Denise had to go to the planners of Trans March and raise hell with them)
Story by Dina Boyer
For more information:
http://homepage.mac.com/trannytalk/Menu1.html
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Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public press for its citizens and their associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. It also extends to news gathering, and processes involved in obtaining information for public distribution. In the U.S. this right is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Media credentials were lifted from writer of Beyond Chron story "Is It Pride really?" once read by Pride board President Joey Cain and Executive Director Lindsey Jones. Ray West, parade publicist, who also denied media credentials to a transgender identified writer, failed to return calls in spite of repeated requests. As a writer who has also coordinated media for many community events, my conclusion is San Francisco's parade organization is so focused on pleasing their corporate sponsors they forgot the community they serve.
The operative lesson: It's one thing to milk a cow; quite another to kill the cow!
Allen White
San Francisco, California
The operative lesson: It's one thing to milk a cow; quite another to kill the cow!
Allen White
San Francisco, California
Thank you for posting that comment.
What is the menaing of Allan White's quote about milking and killing cows? It could have may meanings. What is this one's? And by the way, is White saying that he was beanned because the President of the Board and the Executive Director didn't like his article? It would seem that they would have more important things to do the week before Pride.
When media credentials were denied, producers of what they call "Pride" seriously compromised their responsibility to the communities they serve.
More than myself, I am particularly concerned that Dina Boyer, a Producer of Tranny Talk, was denied media credentials. Ray West, the Pride publicist, is responsible for serious and unacceptable actions against two known area journalists.
Be clear, the offense here is an act of disrespect. Dina Boyer was disrespected. Tranny Talk and those associated with the show were disrespected. Most important, the transgender community was disrespected.
This insult comes in a year when the transgender community realized unprecedented visibility. The riots at the Compton's Cafeteria, coupled with the film, "Screaming Queens," their own stage at the Civic Center Celebration and the emergence of community leaders including Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks; Union leader Robert Haaland and several others is a recognition of the transgender community to a level never seen before.
For one of those charged with chronicling their activities to not be given the respect associated with media credentialing is a blatant and disgusting insult. Hopefully, those concerned for the rights of those in media and those struggling for transgender rights will not allow this to pass. Dina Boyer, Trany Talk and the Transgender Community have an absolute right to demand the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade Committee be fully accountable for their actions.
Simply stated, just who the fuck do they think they are?
Allen White
San Francisco, California
More than myself, I am particularly concerned that Dina Boyer, a Producer of Tranny Talk, was denied media credentials. Ray West, the Pride publicist, is responsible for serious and unacceptable actions against two known area journalists.
Be clear, the offense here is an act of disrespect. Dina Boyer was disrespected. Tranny Talk and those associated with the show were disrespected. Most important, the transgender community was disrespected.
This insult comes in a year when the transgender community realized unprecedented visibility. The riots at the Compton's Cafeteria, coupled with the film, "Screaming Queens," their own stage at the Civic Center Celebration and the emergence of community leaders including Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks; Union leader Robert Haaland and several others is a recognition of the transgender community to a level never seen before.
For one of those charged with chronicling their activities to not be given the respect associated with media credentialing is a blatant and disgusting insult. Hopefully, those concerned for the rights of those in media and those struggling for transgender rights will not allow this to pass. Dina Boyer, Trany Talk and the Transgender Community have an absolute right to demand the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade Committee be fully accountable for their actions.
Simply stated, just who the fuck do they think they are?
Allen White
San Francisco, California
There's always two sides of the story and when only one side is posted, you're a fool if you readily accept it as the only truth. It's much easier to believe the worse about people, isn't it? Has anyone contacted Pride or this Ray person for a response? I suspect there's been some exaggeration of the situation or omitting of crucial information.
No lies, and yes Ray West was contacted by email, but I was not able to contact them by phone. (machine never offered me a chance to leave a message)
According to him it was my fault, but it's okay I know deep down inside I played by the book. I filled out the forms way before the deadlines, and provided proof of published stories. I have covered Pride for the last 8 years with no problems getting credentials, and when the event was over I sent thank you letters, to show my appreciation for their work. But this year at the media credentialing table he simply refused to give me the pass. I asked if I could be accomodated and he simply said NO.
It's okay other journalists had similar experiences with that organization(and maybe that person).
I have NEVER been denied press credentials anywhere ever, and I have covered hundreds of events and celebrations.
Maybe its not Ray West' fault, maybe one of his bosses instructed him to deny me credentials, but the bottom line is I feel I was discriminated against, and denied my First Amendment rights; Freedom of the Press, by Pride.
According to him it was my fault, but it's okay I know deep down inside I played by the book. I filled out the forms way before the deadlines, and provided proof of published stories. I have covered Pride for the last 8 years with no problems getting credentials, and when the event was over I sent thank you letters, to show my appreciation for their work. But this year at the media credentialing table he simply refused to give me the pass. I asked if I could be accomodated and he simply said NO.
It's okay other journalists had similar experiences with that organization(and maybe that person).
I have NEVER been denied press credentials anywhere ever, and I have covered hundreds of events and celebrations.
Maybe its not Ray West' fault, maybe one of his bosses instructed him to deny me credentials, but the bottom line is I feel I was discriminated against, and denied my First Amendment rights; Freedom of the Press, by Pride.
MY NAME IS CARLOS; AND AS AN ESTEEMED VOTTING MEMBER OF THE SF PRIDE ORGANIZATION (6YEARS) I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW SORRY I AM FOR THE WAY ANYBODY WAS TREATED. AS THE CONTROLLING HEAL OF PRIDE CHANGED FROM TEDDY TO LINDSEY, THE DIRECTION OF PRIDE HAS BECOME MORE NARROW AND FOCUSED AND CERTAIN AREAS.
PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AS I AM ABLE TO OFFER YOU A BIGGER FORUM TO BE HEARD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOUR SUPPORT IF POSSIBLE.
IT SHPULD BE NOTED, THAT WITHOUT THE MEDIA ATTENTION, ETC. HOW ELSE WOULD PRIDE BE PUBLICIZED?
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