Taking Back Pride


Taking Back Pride

Benjamin Solomon
Volunteer Mackenzie John Miller, organizer Jordan Fife Hunt, endorser Marti Gould Cummings, Jamie McGonnigal, Robin McGehee and volunteer Natasha Dillon.

Through all the glitter, rainbow flags, parties and booze it is easy to forget that the Gay Pride March is actually a protest as much as it is a celebration. That is why several fed-up activists—including Jamie McGonnigal, Lt. Dan Choi, Robin McGehee and Alan L. Bounville—decided to remind New Yorkers that the fight is not yet over. They have created Taking Back Pride (TakeBackPride.org), a grassroots campaign to bring the political agenda back to Pride.

“We aren’t pushing any individual group’s agenda,” says McGonnigal, 34, about the campaign. “We are using the [gay pride] March to educate those who attend.” They point out that in addition to topics discussed frequently in the media like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and marriage equality, there are many inequalities that the community doesn’t realize exist, like the fact that in over two dozen states—including New York—you can still be fired and evicted just for being gay. “We aren’t asking anyone to go anywhere they weren’t already planning to go,” says community organizer McGehee, 36.”We’re merely asking people to do what they want to do [during Pride], but work to incorporate more of our activist history, by carrying a sign, bringing a bullhorn, etc.”

Taking Back Pride has already garnered a lot of buzz from celebrities and nonprofit groups like Queer Rising and Heritage of Pride, something that has been missing from the gay community for a while. “Being LGBT is only a part of who [the gay community] is; therefore people sometimes have other priorities,” explains McGehee about reasons for apathy. “But we feel that if we highlight the truth that we are second-class citizens, maybe we’ll be moving us all towards less apathy and more equality.” But don’t take their word for it—see the excitement for yourself at this year’s Pride March on June 27. Anyone can join the Taking Back Pride campaign, whether marching or watching from the sidelines. As Bounville, 33, reminds, “either way, don’t show up to the march without a sign!” —Benjamin Solomon

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