PRIDE CONTROVERSY CONTINUING COVERAGE
OKC PRIDE INC CONFIRMS PARADE WILL REMAIN ON January 6, 2009 As revealed in yesterday's article on Gossip Boy, OKC Pride Inc has voted to keep the 2009 Pride Parade on NW 39th
PRIDE PARADE WILL REMAIN ON
By James Miko
After a community meeting Monday night at the Days Inn Northwest where dozens aired their opinions, the OKC Pride Inc board meant in a special session and voted to keep the parade on
Board members from left to right are Patricia Miller, Latricia Olmstead, Dean Crawford, Paul Thompson and Guy Peters. Not shown, but still attending the meeting, were remaining board members T J McKinsey, Miles Tompkins and Kelly Carter-Scott. Gossip Boy chose to not take photos of the audience as some had expressed reservations about their faces being made public. A request by a board member Dean Crawford to remove this photo has been denied. The non-profit is a public group operating in a public meeting and must therefore abide by established law.
Previous years has seen the board rarely challenged in their actions. Yet the general meeting on this night saw a crowd of around 50 people wanting at least the parade to be kept on
Television news journalist Rusty Surrette talked with officials at Remington Park and reported the venue is asserting that no plans had ever been finalized with OKC Pride Inc.
At the top of the meeting, Chairman Thompson warned attendees that the gathering must remain peaceful by declaring, “We are going to express ourselves in a reasonable kind of way We are not going to have name calling, we are not going to have hair pulling, we’re not going to have screaming and yelling. It’s not like it’s going to be, we have a new president and he’s called No Drama Obama and we’re not going to have like a bunch of drama queens here having a hissy fit. So that’s going to be the ground rules for this evening.”
Thompson then laid out rules that included speakers must be acknowledged by the chair after raising your hand, only one person was to speak at a time, and referred to his personal pet peeve of side-bar discussions of which he said, “We have had meetings, not only of this group but other groups, where people are all visiting with each other and we vote on something then at the next meeting the person claims they never heard the issue raised. So I hope we can do this in an adult professional manner. I hope that at the end of this meeting we can all feel proud of how we talked to each other, the way we behaved with each other, and come to some conclusions that will be helpful to whole community.”
John Gibbons, owner of the Boom, brought in a group from his bar that, although many had never been involved in a community organization like Pride and were unaware of earlier scandals, were fired up to make changes and offer solutions after organizing overnight upon hearing of the move to Remington Park. At one point there was a declaration to put Gibbons on the board, but supporters failed to achieve that at their debut before the board. Thompson said that the nomination would be considered at the next meeting and added, “People don’t realize that even if you are on the board for one year you won’t know all you need to know. It takes three or four years of being on the board to get your bearings.”
When one audience member challenged the delay by saying Robert’s Rules of Order allows for such a nomination, if approved by two thirds majority, the declaration was glided over by the board. A review of the non-profit’s constitution and bylaws show a passage requiring the board to abide by the widely used rules of order for meetings.
Those same bylaws require board members to be elected during an annual general membership meeting. For vacancies the seated board makes the decision on who can fill the empty seats or have to call for a special general membership meeting to seek a majority vote. Neither co-chair raised that point to individuals calling for an immediate vote.
Paul Thompson
Male co-chair Paul Thompson seemed misinformed about several subjects and had to be corrected by other board members over topics ranging from the organization’s correct telephone number to agendas being posted on the internet, when they’re not, to claiming 39th Street bar owners did not want the celebration on the Strip, when they’d only commented about the mess left over to clean up. Additionally, he did not know how many people were on the board that he chairs. Earlier in the meeting he identified himself as the “male co-chair of the Pride parade committee” which isn’t accurate, as his official title is male co-chair of OKC Pride Inc. Kelly Carter-Smith is the sole chair of the committee overseeing the parade.
DBA Metro President Monty Milburn commended Thompson for his years of service, but then offered that perhaps it was time for new people on the board.
Thompson has served on the board for twenty years and received a round of applause in recognition of that service.
In other issues raised, participants complained that the organization’s website was vague, they were listing an outdated phone number, agendas were not available before meetings, and they were not publicizing themselves in a manner that reaches out to a wired community, nor to a younger membership. The board promised to listen to concerns and work on finding better methods to inform the community of future meetings and actions.
Also, raised was the board’s inability to respond to press inquiries in a timely fashion. Gossip Boy attempted several times to get comment from the board about accusations made against it, but never received a response. Board member Guy Peters acknowledged that this news service had made such attempts.
The meeting, also, saw an employee of the Oklahoma Probation & Parole office make public physical threats against Gossip Boy editor James Miko over what he claims was insulting behavior over inquiries about the group’s tax returns. He stated he was a gay newbie and just now getting involved with the community, but reacted violently when quizzed if knew anything about what was going on after making demands the Pride board not have to deal with such questions. Allies of board member T J McKinsey stated she was being unfairly attacked and lies were being spread on this website, but when asked to specify those lies they were unable to do so. Former Pride board member Cathy Cherish went to the defense of the embittered McKinsey, by stating, “T J is a bitch, but it is because of her passion for what she is doing. You will learn a lot from her.”
After the audience left, the board meant in special session and concluded that the parade would be at its traditional location in the gay district according to sources.
The board next meets Monday, January 26th, 7 pm, at the Days Inn
IRATE COMMUNITY MOVES ON OKC PRIDE INC
January 4, 2009
Gossip Boy Staff Coverage
It looks as if OKC Pride Inc has been given a zero vote of confidence by the LGBT Community, who are organizing to confront the non-profit's board during their Monday meeting. Scores of gays and lesbians have stepped forward to vocalize their displeasure at 2009 Pride activities being moved to Remington Park; causing dozens to accuse the board of intentionally placing the Community in harm's way by marching it through a gang-ridden and hostile neighborhood and then isolating a traditionally public celebration in far corners of the racetrack and casino. Additional complaints registered against the board, which is co-chaired by Paul Thompson and Latricia Olmstead, are that it has been overly influenced by a small faction that wishes to force their personal plans on the Community. Also, many are asking why the board would remove the activities to places that have never shown previous support for LGBT efforts and away from those who have.
OKC PRIDE INC MEETING DETAILS
MONDAY - JANUARY 5, 2009 - 7 PM
Days Inn Oklahoma City Northwest - www.daysinn.com
2801 Northwest 39th Street, Oklahoma City -
Some concerned LGBTs will be gathering at The Boom at 6 pm before the scheduled Pride Inc Meeting. The club is located at 2807 NW 36th in OKC.
In his personal blog, long time Pride participant Floyd Martin said, "I know, I have cheated the last few years and stayed at Arnold Lee's until the parade came, and then walked the last few blocks, but there still is no thrill like topping that hill in front of Homeland, and seeing 20,000 GLBT people and those that love us partying in the damn streets, with rainbows flying and people cheering. It always made me feel that I was not alone, and maybe even in a place where people were more loving and accepting."
You can read Martin's full remarks at: http://profile.myspace.com/itzfloyd
In an email sent out to announce their meeting, OKC Pride Inc included the message "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" in what many are perceiving as an attempt to deflect criticism against them for creating dissension in the Community and operating under personal agendas harming Pride.
Lance M. stated, "Now they want everyone uniting together? You mean after years of them being power divas, mismanaging Pride, chasing off anyone that wanted to get involved? All of a sudden the Community rises against them in force and they're all about "Oh let's work together now!" Well, that isn't going to work. What's going to now happen is the board members step aside willingly or they'll discover the Community has revoked their privilege to represent it for Pride events. We will spread the word that they are a rogue board that does not represent the lesbian and gay community and are acting in their own personal interests. Therefore sponsors should withdraw all support from them."
The OKC Pride Inc board have been quiet about providing explanations as to their decisions or what those decisions may be. Yet sources have revealed that the move may be partly in reaction the City of OKC's imposing taxes on festival vendors in recent years. Those taxes are imposed elsewhere as are sales taxes in retail outlets.
On that Lance commented, "Let's see everyone knows T J's brother is a big vendor. You might get the idea that she was protecting his pocketbook. Anyway, who cares if they get taxed. The vendors will get the taxes from the consumers. It's not like it is going to come out of their wallet. Go to Wal-Mart and you'll pay taxes too. What few people go to the festival aren't going to care about something like that. They're just making a big issue out of over maybes. The ones that are required to collect a tax are paid a fee are only at the festival to sale things and make a profit. They're not donating their goods to the community, they're profiting off the community. T J is going to make sure the people go to where her brother's drink stand is."
[Editor's Note: Gossip Boy is aware of a new group that has formed and are planning on keeping activities in the gay district to include 39th St. We have agreed to allow them some "breathing" room while they get their initial efforts launched, but will be publishing details once they become available.]
LGBT COMMUNITY SACKS OKC PRIDE
January 2, 2009
Gossip Boy Staff Coverage
[Editor’s Note: After a week of trying to get OKC Pride Inc to comment, this news site could no longer justify holding a breaking story back. With one exception, members have been secretive, uncooperative, and suspicious in how they have handled this affair.]
When the organization responsible for operating Pride functions in
A review of OKC Pride Inc’s group shows them as having just over $3,000 at year’s end and having at least $2,000 in unpaid bills left over from the 2008 event. Gossip Boy received no comment as to why the board has not settled outstanding debts to the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Gazette. It is believed that with the loss of major sponsors OKC Pride Inc may not be able to finance an event at this point.
Several LGBTs interviewed or sending comments to this site expressed their resentment at OKC Pride Inc board member T J McKinsey, who they claim has led a crusade to sanitize the annual event to appease a close-knit group that demanded all aspects be family friendly. Recommendations that there could be a satisfactory middle ground between those wanting a family event and those wanting to maintain the traditional celebration of gay life were said to be ignored and it is claimed McKinsey bullied other board members into doing things her way and only her way. Personal safety concerns were a major issue of the several people talking to Gossip Boy. OKC Pride Inc. plans to stage the parade at the Cinemark Tinseltown parking lot and march to
Gossip Boy has received scores of comments about OKC Pride Inc’s decision to move activities to
That is the most serious sack of bullshit I've ever heard in my life!!!!!!!! I say we all just gather at the strip anyway. Fuck that! Fuck them! You can't take Pride away from the strip!!!! What the hell is wrong with them???? - Mandi -
OKC Pride Inc. is still in debt from putting on pride from last year! They do little to NO fundraising in order to fund a pride festival. This new idea of the parade and festival will not be a success, my partner and I are both really involved in the gay community and believe that a new group, whatever group that should be, should take over the planning, or pride will be a flop. Pride Inc needs to turn over this job; they cannot successfully plan or coordinate this event. It is worse year after year. -Todd -
Yeah I am thinking that we won’t be there. I have children to keep safe. - Stitch -
The parade needs to stay where it is. We are the only parade that u-turns so people in it can see it. It is also a public event not a semi-closeted one. The festival itself also needs to be public and not behind walls. - Joe -
I am personally not in favor of
I am totally against this change. I realize that the location may not be available for the requested dates, but why not change the dates? I have ALWAYS thought that having it later in the year (like
I have recently found out about the new location for the parade, and do not like it in any way. I knew about the location for the festival, which is somewhat understandable, but the parade is a bad idea all around. Not only does it confine it in a small location so that we cannot have a very long parade, but it also takes away from the
What are the alternatives?? I think that if they go through with this the participation will be very low and I know that my partner and I will not attend. We do not feel safe in that area and do not feel it would be a safe area for our community. Whats wrong with Will Rogers Park? The parade could travel down 36th to May and up 39th? At any rate this is a very dumb thoughtless idea to say the least. This board should step down and let someone from the younger crowd take over. Business as usual is not always a good thing. We need some fresh blood!!! - Susan -
Do the Pride like usual if they want twenty people to come to their little thing then so be it. Everyone knows where Pride is suppose to be. I'm going to the one in the Gayboyhood. - Cara -
I completely disagree with the changes trying to be made to pride in 2009... the new location is dangerous, inconvenient, and just plain ridiculous. why would we want to start a parade at a movie theatre and end at a race track? the parade has been in the same location for years... and it ends at a place the community has been comfortable with. it's where we all can go and be with our friends, have a few drinks, and dance in an environment where we feel SAFE.. and accepted. i think if pride is moved the outcome will be negative. i dont think anyone will really show, then whats the point of having a pride parade where there's no one to have pride in it? ... i dont think i want to risk being in the wrong part of town and being harassed or worse, shot... for being gay. pride should stay where it belongs. - Jesi -
I feel the need to comment about
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