Anchorage Pridefest parade

[Blue_In_AK]

I've posted in other places about the struggle Anchorage is going through right now trying to get a GLBT antidiscrimination ordinance passed. We have a megachurch here, the Anchorage Baptist Temple, whose pastor has been holding this community hostage to his homophobia for over 30 years. It's a long story, but for kind of an overview of the situation, if you're interested, Phil Munger has a good post here: http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/06/saturday-alaska-progressive-blog_20.html

So in the face of all this tension in the community, it was wonderful to see a great pridefest parade and picnic downtown today. The parade lasted almost an hour, with several more participants than last year, and the spectators were highly enthusiastic. The sun even came out after a morning shower. We had a great time.

I'm going to be putting a gallery in my "politics" section at SmugMug, but here are a few in the meantime.



The Anchorage Baptist Temple (ABT) and the other religious "anti's" have been wearing red shirts to the assembly meetings, and one furniture company even provided free red T-shirts. The 4A's say they are reclaiming the red.







This was the winning float, "Pirates of the Lesibbean."




You can always count on the UU's. :)

[Suich]

1. "Pirates of the Lesibbean!" I love it!

Thanks for the post, Blue! The ABT shirts are great!

:hi:

[Confusious]

2. I've been gone for 15 years

That fuckwad Prevo still running the temple with his nasty-ass mouth son?

Used to have a sticker that said "Fuck Prevo: Think for youself" ( and I think I still do... in my memory bin )

[d_b]

8. yea he's still here

his church is about twice as large too.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. As d_b said,

yes, he's still here, and he's more deranged than ever. Did you read his e-mail that was posted at Phil's blog? He's a gigantic asshole, and the fact that neither he nor any of his employees pay property taxes on their church or their homes and yet get to dictate policy for all of us taxpayers out here infuriates me. You never see him outside of the church without his coterie of ABT mafia guys -- seriously, they look like thugs. They're probably his bodyguards because he's so hated. I'm just sick to death of him.

[imdjh]

3. Good work people.

Why would people go all the way to Alaska and take religious fundamentalism with them? It seems counter to the pioneer spirit.

[Skittles]

4. K&R

wonderful post :thumbsup:

[Starry Messenger]

5. Pirate ship frakking rules.

:D

[katanalori]

6. Thanks Blue!

I linked this thread over at The Mudflats. Been watching the hearings via live podcast - Prevo and his whackos bused in from the Vally are actually making the case FOR the necessity of your prop. 64 IMO.

[DeSwiss]

7. K&R!!!

[Arctic Dave]

9. Had fun with our daughter at the festival. She liked the boat float.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. I'm sorry I didn't see you, Dave.

It was a great crowd, wasn't it? It kind of gives some hope that Anchorage still has a heart and soul, despite the despot on the east side.

[Meeker Morgan]

10. Northernmost Pride event ever? n/t

[donco6]

11. Good turnout, it looks like.

And fun floats!

[mrbarber]

14. Hopefully the citizens of the US will follow those in Iran and Pakistan..

and lash out against the religious bigots who have made everyone life's so miserable for so long.

And as for the furniture company-well, let's just say with all the companies going out of business, I wouldn't shed a tear if they were one.

[xchrom]

15. dear lord god -- but i LOVE gay people!

thanks for the pics.