Pride month sure has been getting record turn outs this year, and it's been great. The Mistress is now gearing up for the final Pride this season...NYC'S World Pride this weekend...with a three day recovery period before leaving the states. There has been talk of several retailers who many this year offered "pride inspired" clothing and items. I personally didn't really like the idea of them selling it...were they profiting or donating proceeds to a charity or LGBT foundation??? And it's not like they also offering goods for say Black History Month, or Purtio Rican Pride Month. Mr Lurker is right...I do think some gullible gays probably bought into it, even if for a matter of inconvenience to not getting time to get to a gay owned shop or bookstore. At my luxury retailer we didn't have any goods to sell. They will send in doors decals though to show they do support LGBT networks, and we have a welcome all vibe. A few weeks ago I featured a runway of mannequins I did in celebration of Pride month, explaining what the colors of the flag stood for. The other installation I did was an interactive wall, with square information boards we had printed up, explaining different segments which are inportant to gay history. I thought it would also be neat to have love note hearts, that customers could fill out, who or what they love and then hang on the wall. The flip side of the wall housed these boarders we had printed.
The wall got used!
And in other news, Doylestown, my fair hamlet, over the weekend hosted there first ever Pride Street Festival, which lasted from 12 noon-7. Very cool that even smaller towns are now having Pride Festivals. Alas... I got back from glamping a bit late to enjoy, but an hour of it....but it was packed.
Everybody seemed to be having a blast too, except these three, three, lonely protesters. Alas...only three, and even they didn't seem to be there long. And mind you, when at Philly's Pride a couple weeks ago, saw none.
Then Tuesday night had dinner in Philly with friends. Even Boathouse Row was all gay!!!
How lovely!
OK, so Jesus allegedly said he was the way, the truth, and the life, what does that have to do with ANYTHING?!? Great stuff here. And I'm also not a fan of retailers simply cashing in. How about donating?
ReplyDeleteHere here Mitchell!
DeleteIt would be nice if giant retailers did make donations if they were selling specifically through Pride month. It's always worth it to check their scores at HRC to see if the selling of items is more than a simple "cashing in."
ReplyDeleteIgnoring the creepy protesters is the quickest way to get them to leave. They're there strictly to get noticed.
Happy Thursday!
I remember when I was a sixteen-year-old kid and I had to go to downtown Los Angeles to secretly buy a copy of the Advocate (it was hard to find back then).
ReplyDeleteWalmart should definitely sell Pride shirts....(hell, why not?)
I dont know that they'd be that hip with the thinking. The ones here are doing terrible next to target.
DeleteHave a fun time in NYC! Loves the
ReplyDeleterainbow signs and notes. :-) xoxoxo
What you have done here, and with tha mannequins is much more meaningful to me than actually carrying merchandise. For those you stop to look and wonder, will get some intresting educational facts. I think it's great they supported you. And I was so proud Doylestown had a first ever pride event!!!! I saw that in our paper. That's amazing.
ReplyDeletemike (my delivery guy) says we should ALL go to doylestown pride next year! those 3 homophobes can go fuck themselves with a spiked un-lubed butt plug! and boathouse row never looked lovelier!
ReplyDeleteYes!!!!!! It seemed to be popular....we should all go next year. Boathouse Row took me by surprise.
DeleteI love the illuminations on those boathouses!
ReplyDeleteSoooo agree with you about the "commercialisation" of the rainbow flag and Pride-related items without ever any mention of whether the stores themselves are taking all the profit, or are actually supporters of anything to do with LGBT issues. Still, it is a topic of conversation - even here in rough, lawless Wood Green, seeing Pride clothing in the window of H&M and on a podium right by the escalators in Primark (the UK's biggest clothing chain) is a step forward, I suppose. Jx
I agree with you. While nice I guess to see the product...I'd feel better knowing the money went to a cause. I know during breast cancer month, many store sell special merchandise with proceeds going to the charity. Alas, I have the feeling this isn't happening with the pride merchandise.
DeleteWhile not a part of the community, but a huge supporter, I think the retailers are using pride as an excuse to make money and get the LGBT shoppers, while most dont support the lifestyle, or aren't donating money. Just my opinion. I do however adore your interactive dispaly....that is very cool. Much more servers a purpose.
ReplyDeleteHaha the haters look as miserable as they should. Fuck them. Or rather, NOT.
ReplyDeleteThat small Pride Street Festival looks awesome though.
Three day recovery time? Lmaoooo Maddie!
XoXo
Im sure it will be very fun....but insane. I mean Mother Madonna will be performing the festival!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteGood As You
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how many young gay people don’t get that acronym. History is important.
JP
I love that smaller towns are celebrating Pride. it means more acceptance and more visibility and, yeah, more Pride.
ReplyDeleteI was at your store one night and saw this!!!!! And I thought it was very cool. I left a note.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy see your work. I have gone back to view the mannequins a few times now.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! Love that final photo of Boathouse Row!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I remember when you showed me Dolyestown...a town that size having pride? Amazing. And your work there yet again..well done. Represent us.
ReplyDelete