Individual Corporate
	Mission History Board of Directors President's Statement Openings				Pride Flash Movie Pride Events Workshops Parties Hotel Sponsors Vendors Program Book

Mission | History | Board of Directors | President's Statement | Openings

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT


Chris Alston - President

Welcome to Philadelphia Black Gay Pride’s 11th Anniversary.  This year our theme is “Pride…A Deeper Love”.  I have been working in the capacity of Board President since December 2006 and have enjoyed every minute of it through all of the ups and downs, many valuable business relationships as well as friendships have developed over the years and I’m appreciative of all of them.  I have worked with many different Board Members as well as volunteers and I want to take the time to say “THANK YOU”, I know that working with and for me can sometimes be…ummm…complex, but mostly everyone stuck in there with me….talked about me….but never disrespected me and I love each and every one of you for that.  It is with great joy that I can say that we made it to our 11th Anniversary….all in one piece!!!

When I think about that theme, I start to think about the words of the song, Pride a deeper love...”Now I've got love in my heart, it gives me the strength to make it through the day Pride and love (pride is) oh respect for yourself, and that's why I'm not looking for, handouts, charity, welfare, I don't need….” 

As the words of that song ring out there are still many of us that don’t believe in that very pride.  Many of us are living in and or with shame.  Shame is homophobia and homophobia is shame – either way you look at it, both are deadly. There are several types of shame that we, as LGBT people of color, live with daily.  Sexual shame makes it more difficult to discuss HIV/AIDS and STD risk reduction and prevention. Shame makes it harder for members of the transgendered communities to feel accepted and celebrated. Gay shame makes it harder for gay men and lesbians to come out about being in domestically violent situations. Shame is a bottomless pit in which homophobia, racism, and sexism can grow and flourish.

In the past few years the attempted suicide rates of LGBT youth have skyrocketed to 5 times that of their straight peers and gay youth non-profits such as COLOURS and the Attic Youth Center continue to struggle to meet their financial goals to help with the programming. Lately the incredible resiliency and unashamed pride that young gay people of color portray has never been more apparent than when many gay youth of color marched with the Attic Youth Center during last year’s Philly Pride Presents Parade.

As you read this letter…look at it as a “call to action”… I call on you to follow the example set by the LGBT youth of Philadelphia and join me along with the Board of Directors and Volunteers to stand and say “Pride…it’s a deeper love”.  A deeper love of self and life as we know it. Live life to the fullest and let the entire world know that you are here. 

  Now as I close, join me and the entire Board of Directors as we sing a few words from our theme song: “I wanna thank you for helping me see, there's a power that lives deep inside of me.  Give me the strength to carry on, always be strong. It's the power that gives you the strength to survive…..PRIDE A DEEPER LOVE…..now remember to live life to the fullest and let the entire world know that you are here….go out there and celebrate love, life, passion, equality but most of all celebrate with PRIDE!

With Pride,

Chris Alston

Previous: Board of Directors | Next: Openings