Parsimonious Corporations at Pride

The last couple of years I have hung out the windows of the Pride trolley provided for LGBTQ elders, waving at all those lining the streets of the Pride route. But this year my heroic friend, Bren, schlepped two luxurious beach chairs and we set ourselves up in front of the Arlington Street Church with a gang of friends, a bag of bagels and cream cheese, and two plums, and watched the March go by. Yes, yes, I know it is now called a Parade, but indulge me and my memories of hard-fought, dangerous streets.

In the early years – and I was marching from the start – these were protest marches, in-your-face declarations of “out”ness that had never been seen. The contingents were political, mostly based on identity politics or group projects, but all the marchers were brave queers, with perhaps an ally here and there.

Now the bulk of groups seem to be contingents of employees of big and little corporations and of houses of worship. I know this has been going on for long time, but at least in past years we got a bit of branded swag out of their presence – whether it was chapstick or packets of sunscreen or post-its or funny hats or socks or something, for gawd’s sake. Now the swag has dried up. Should there not be a requirement that if you’re advertising at my March, I get something sweet in exchange?

Watching this capitalist cavalcade tossing out, at the most, cheap Mardi Gras beads, (but the majority only passed out steaming heaps of nothing), moved me to exercise my vocal chords from the comfort of my beach chair.

• When Staples went by, I screamed: Throw me a ream of paper!
• When Comcast rolled by, I screamed: Send me lower bills!
• When some Jewish group carrying Israeli flags went by, I yelled: Give me some justice for Palestinians!
• When a church group went by, I cried: Toss me a piece of heaven!
• When Citizen’s Bank came by, I hollered: Donate $1,000!
• When Delta went by, I screamed: Give me more leg room!

But when TJX passed me, I yelled: Thanks for the lovely shopping bag!

Comments

[Joan Price]

I can't decide which of your requests I love more: "Toss me a piece of heaven!" or "Give me more leg room!" Wonderful post, Sue.

[Mike Evans]

I haven't been to London pride in decades, nor to Brighton Pride in almost a decade. I lost interest when it changed from Protest to Parade. I certainly do not want tat hand-outs from corporations who not so long ago would refuse employment to homosexuals, or someone with HIV.

There is also part of me that says "that battle is won" and although we might not be quite there, the tide turned a long time ago. I have my lovely husband and I don't face discrimination. Our neighbours love us and treat us as any other couple. The real tragedy is that in that same time nothing has improved for the Palestinians.

[Sue Katz]

Mike, this is the most political comment you've ever made on my blog and I must say your points are thoroughly well-taken. Except for one change that is happening here in the States: we are literally moving towards a dictatorial fascism with a government full of people who absolutely HATE lgbtq people (in addition to Black and Brown people and immigrants and sick people and poor people and and and). A lesbian couple was just beat viciously in a bar not far from my house. Hatred is pouring through the streets. I didn't mention any of this in my silly little piece, but complacency here is unfortunately no longer an option. As it has never been for the Palestinians. I was glad to see a small group of Israeli lesbians who interrupted Tel Aviv Pride to say, "No Pride in Occupation."

Mike, I love you and miss you!