First published on June 23, 2004, in the Chicago Free Press.
Over the 35 years since the Stonewall events gave a welcome boost to earlier gay activism, we have seen a number of innovations in activist techniques, visibility models and message communication.
In the early years, there were "zaps" of homophobic politicians, media outlets and anti-gay businesses. The AIDS epidemic brought ACT-UP demonstrations with their careful attention to maximizing media exposure, catchy slogans and innovative physical actions like "die ins." Gay marriage brought lines of gay and lesbian couples dressed up and waiting in line for a marriage license, all the more effective a demonstration for not being intended as one.
All during this time there have been annual gay parades under their various names. But have the parades managed any real innovations? Not noticeably. They are larger - huge in some cities - more politicians attend and more businesses participate. But the point seems to have disappeared.
In the early years, parades emphasized coming out. Then there was an emphasis on civil rights laws or AIDS. But the parades don't seem to have a message any more unless it is "We're on display and isn't that fun?" It is just a gay visibility parade. It's the one day in the year the media pay attention to our lives and our movement, and we utterly fail to use it.
The international pride parade group InterPride suggestions for 2004 ran the gamut from bland to witless. The primary theme is "Vive La Difference" with alternate themes of "Stand Out, Stand Proud" or "Living the Rainbow." Who are the drooling idiots who came up with those?
We are threatened by a constitutional amendment to bar gay marriage but all InterPride can suggest is "Vive La Difference"? What difference? That heterosexuals can marry and gays cannot? Most states do not have gay civil rights laws but InterPride suggests "Living the Rainbow"? Well, you had better do it in the closet or you might get fired. "Stand up, Stand Proud"? Well, you had better not in the U.S. military.
To be sure, InterPride picks themes that will fit everywhere in the world. But that is exactly the problem. Gay movements in various states and countries are at different stages of development and have different priorities. A theme that fits everywhere sends no pointed message anywhere. Local pride organizers should choose, as smart ones already do, locally relevant themes that parade contingents can use in floats and signs - themes like "Marriage Now" or "Fight the Federal Marriage Amendment."
Then think about the political and health activist groups who carry signs along the parade route so spectators see them. But spectators probably already know their goals and agree with them. It is the politicians and government officials attending the parade who should see the signs. But if they are in the parade, too, they don't see them.
It would be more useful for the spectators to hold up signs as the politicians and political candidates drive past: "Gay Marriage," "Support Gay Civil Rights," "Military Access Now." Let the politicians know what you as gay and lesbian spectators want them to do. You are their boss. Never forget that.
It is also time to stop being nice to politicians who claim to be pro-gay but do little on our behalf. For instance, Illinois Democrats long promised that when they controlled the governor's office and the legislature they would pass a gay civil rights bill. Well, they do now and they didn't. And none of them has breathed a word about repealing the state's gay marriage ban.
So it is time to stop cheering politicians for merely turning up at our parade - that is a 1970s mentality - and start booing them for playing us for fools. If we cheer them, it only makes them believe they can keep on getting away with merely verbal support. Remember: they have an incentive not to pass pro-gay laws, because once they do, then they have nothing left to keep promising us to get our votes.
But what if some ostensibly pro-gay but non-producing politician - such as Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich - fails to turn up at the parade and take their lumps like adults? We can do what political candidates do when opponents don't attend a debate. They set out an empty chair with his name on it. So someone should be ready to chauffeur an otherwise empty convertible with a sign on it reading "Where Is ____?" to draw attention to his absence. It is time to play hardball with these knaves.
And last, since we have all seen too many unadorned beer trucks and company vans in the parade, would it be too much for our unimaginative parade committees to make a rule that parade entries have to have some gay content or theme or decoration in order to participate?
And, oh yes, if you are thinking of cheering the inevitable contingent of "Kerry for President" enthusiasts, remember that Sen. Kerry supports a Massachusetts state constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage. I just thought I'd mention it.
Have a happy Pride.