June 2008
Pittsburgh Pride Calendar
All of the details surrounding this year’s Pride celebration can be found online at www.PittsburghPrideSpace.com , but I thought I would eliminate the trouble for you and just provide you with a one-stop calendar right here right now…
Monday, June 16th
Some Like It…Hot Pink!
Hard Rock Café Station Square 6:30pm
A night of bowling and prizes sponsored by the PGH Pride Bowling League and the GLCC. RSVP at www.serenlee@aol.com
Tuesday June 17th
Everyday Law for Gays and Lesbians Book Discussion
Borders Eastside 6:00pm
5896 Penn Circle South
Anthony Infanti leads a discussion of his book “Everyday Law for Gays and Lesbians” FREE and open to the public
110 Gavelston Ave. North Side
Foster care and adoption info for the LGBTQ community. Hosted by Family Services of Western PA and Persad Center. FREE!
Cabaret at Theater Square Cultural District Downtown FREE!
Wednesday June 18th
The Book to Watch Out For
Borders Eastside 7:00pm
Book discussion with Dan Iddings about the “Take Me Out”
P-Town 9:00pm
North Oakland
Bunny Bixler and Esta Gen present and evening of drag and strippers. 21+ FREE!
Thursday June 19th
SPLASH!
Herforth and Karlovich Party Palace
6-11:00 pm
207 Bailey Ave. Mt. Washington
The Delta Foundation and Rentboy.com present a pool party and cookout for tickets and info visit www.PittsburghPrideSpace.com
4130 Butler St. Lawrenceville
818 Liberty Ave. Downtown
Hosted by Kierra Darshell. Cover charge benefits PGH Pride 18+
Friday June 20th
Bar Crawl
8:00pm—2:00am
Saturday June 21st
Pride in the Street
Liberty Ave. Downtown 7:00pm—1:00am
Block party, dancing and concert on Liberty Ave. featuring Kimberly Locke, Frederick Ford, DJ Escape, DJ Tony Ruiz, and hosted by Frank Decaro.
Sunday June 22nd
Pridemarch Parade
Begins at corner of Grant Street and Blvd of the Allies
Begins at noon
Pridefest
3 city blocks this year featuring 2 stages, family fun center, vendor booths, beer garden, and much more.
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A Difficult Dilemma
It is not unusual to have conflicting dichotomies within myself. After all, one of my more infamous nicknames is Sybil (a reference to the book and movie about a woman living with multiple personality disorder). But, lately I’ve found myself in a more unusual dilemma; one I had never really given much thought or actively noticed before. I have recently discovered that I am, in fact, both a feminist and a lesbian that has clashed with one another.
For instance—women athletes. The feminist side of me is appalled and disgusted with the fact that both they and society are exploiting their bodies and their attractiveness in order to promote their respective sport. This goes beyond them just flaunting their athleticism. For example: when Danica Patrick posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her skills and abilities on the racetrack should speak for themselves. She shouldn’t endorse the sport of racecar driving by appearing half nude in magazines. Because in fact her layout in the magazine was all about her profession, she was scantily clad in a racecar driver’s uniform and not some ordinary bikini like the other models.
However, in contrast, the lesbian side of me enjoys the sheer pleasure of ogling their bodies, and practically wants to plaster the bedroom walls with the nice glossy photographs. But, perhaps if she was just posing as an attractive woman and not representing her sport while modeling half nude, the feminist part of me wouldn’t have such an issue with it.
After all, I guess the same could be said of any profession. Although, I don’t see any doctors out there posing for Maxim or Stuff, with their stethoscopes dangling from their necks. I suppose the argument will be brought up about actresses promoting their up-coming movies through their looks as well. But, unfortunately the whole world of acting and modeling has seemed to blend into one overall profession in a way—it’s become almost expected. In other words they go hand-in-hand this day and age.
I just wish that athletes like Danica Patrick would get the recognition they deserve in their respected fields, than attention and a fan base acquired through their bodies and good looks.
