Taking a cue from recent local gay history, organizers of the new Pride Charlotte festival are looking for individuals willing to serve as “Enforcers of the Peace” during the festival set to occur on August 26, 2006 at Gateway Village.
In the past few years, radical right protestors and religious groups have made their presence known at Charlotte LGBT festivals and events. One such group, Operation Save America, had claimed “victory” over “the homosexuals” when the original Charlotte Pride festival in Marshall Park was cancelled earlier this year. The group had claimed they sent the homosexual sin “back into the grave” from which it had came (see more on Operation Save America).
Pride Charlotte, a new event being planned by the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Community Center, will have “enforcers” to come between the protestors and vulnerable groups and people (such as gay youth, families). The festival will also have a “Booth of Truth” where LGBT and straight allied festival attendees can receive positive messages about themselves and get support if necessary.
Here is an article, from the Carolinas’ Q-Notes:
CHARLOTTE — If you want to make a real difference at the 2006 PRIDE Charlotte event on Aug. 26, then consider becoming an “Enforcer of the Peace.”
As a way to help combat issues experienced by the presence of right-wing Christian groups at previous Pride celebrations, Enforcers will be on hand to act as buffers. The idea behind the initiative is to deflect the messages from hateful groups away from vulnerable groupsand people, and if necessary, bring Pride attendees to the “Booth of Truth,” where they will get positive messages about themselves and where individuals with special training are prepared to counteract the protestors’ anti-gay rhetoric. They will also be able to contact security to have any protestor removed if they are on the grounds and getting out of hand.
Want to volunteer? Can you work for two to three hours on Aug. 26 at Gateway Village? Volunteers will get some training on dealing peacefully with hate groups and a free T-shirt.
If you can help out, contact Rev. Robert Arrington at robpray7@bellsouth.net or call him at Unity Fellowship Church at 704-567-5007.
August 25th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
[...] There has been controversy surrounding an LGBT festival in Charlotte in years past. I’ve posted before about the steps Pride Charlotte will be taking to deal with any protestors who show up. Hopefully, since the festival is on private property this time, the protestors will decide not to waste their time. [...]