Vamos A La Playa! POCC, Park Officials Reach Deal On Sunday Beach Event
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Friday, August 4 2006, 4:08AM
After months of negotiations over a gay pride event scheduled for Sunday at Jacob Riis Beach in Queens, the event organizers and the federal agency that runs the beach reached a compromise yesterday, the New York Times reported this morning. Gary English, executive director of People Of Color in Crisis (POCC) actually announced the deal last night at the kickoff reception for black gay pride weekend.
Following a POCC news conference Thursday morning in which event organizers condemned the park service decision to restrict access to the beach, the two sides later hammered out an agreement that would allow the event to go forward near the beach and with live musical performances by artists such as SWV and Kevin Aviance, the gender-bending performer who was beaten in a homophobic attack in June. Park service officials had previously tried to halt all musical performances at the event.
The New York Daily News reported that only "low-decibel amplified music" would be allowed to be played, but the Times story makes no mention of a noise level restriction. The final agreement would still restrict the number of participants to just 1500 people, but it's not clear if and how that restriction would be enforced.
In discussing the issue, the park service also denied allegations of race and sexual orientation discrimination. Barry Sullivan, general superintendent of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which includes Jacob Riis Park, said the Gateway parks prided themselves “on our longstanding record of serving the diverse population of New York’s five boroughs," the Times reported. In addition, park service officials described the impression left by a letter sent on August 1 to POCC that attendance in the ball field would be limited to 200 as a “misclarification," according to the Gay City News.
English called the resolution of the dispute a partial victory, but Sullivan had a slightly different take on the agreement. “I think the compromise that was struck today will allow us to manage the park in a way that meets our goal of providing safe and enjoyable visits for everyone," he said....
Comments conceal
Keith Boykin
August 4 2006, 6:46PM
Dear readers,
Thank you very much for your patience with the site today. Due to technical difficulties beyond our control, the comments feature was not working at all today. As a result, we apparently lost quite a few comments that people attempted to post.
If you would like to re-post your comments, you may do so now.
Also, I regret to inform you that the message board appears to be down as well. We are working to resolve this problem, but because it's now a weekend, the message board may not be back up until next week.
Thanks again for your support and your patience.
Keith
Liquid Fonts
August 5 2006, 10:50AM
From what I've heard,people are definitely planning to be there on sunday. Also I'm glad to know that Kevin Aviance is gonna perform.
Have Fun
K B
August 5 2006, 2:14PM
Would someone please explain to me WHAT Karamo has done to warrant his notoreity well beyond the requisite 15 minutes of "fame?"
His appearance on the Real World displayed questionable attitudes about race, homophobia, and low self-esteem. While he was frustrated at people not understanding him, he turned around and interjected his unsolicited opinions into other people's business.
I don't know what is more disappointing: That Karamo has achieved some sort of status by accomplishing nothing more than appearing on television and is attempting to parlay that into some sort of status, *or* black folks annointing him with a credibility and some sense of achievement when I have yet to see or hear him say or do anything remarkable.
Both the Black and Gay community is doing itself an outrageous disservice by not focusing on those who are achieving great things, as opposed to those who are trying to achieve great fame.
Liquid Fonts
August 5 2006, 9:01PM
KB, I had to comment :)
I think about what it must be like for Karamo and others, after the cameras are off and its just that person alone, up against the real "real world" of bills due, strained relationships, uncertain future..etc, I'd hope that there would be noticeable on-going love and support which some may interpret as "status". That's not to say that I liked everything Karamo did on the show (cuz I didn't) but if you are going to be black and "out" then it takes more support.
Miss Thang
August 6 2006, 11:16AM
Chile,
Karamo was fab on the Real World.
He told that confused Miss Shavonda that she is black (something that she wasn't clear about).
He also got into the faces of those two redneck boys.
Karamo represented.
GreasyGuide
August 6 2006, 10:25PM
The beach was really good Eva from Top Model was there and SWV really tore it up. Everyone was singing "Weak." This is probably the best pride ever in my book.
K B
August 7 2006, 1:00AM
Uh, excuse me? Karamo was "fab?" He "represented?"
You apparently caught the episode where he told Shavonda that she shouldn't date outside her race, but missed the one where he ended up with someone outside of his race.
As for Karamo getting props for dealing with the "real real world" and dealing with being both Black and gay, he can do that out of the limelight.
He's a hypocrite and has done nothing to warrant notoreity. When we objectify people who are famous for merely being known, it is the same as being objectified for being Black, and it is the entire community's loss!
Liquid Fonts
August 7 2006, 6:03AM
I do have to give Karamo props for being Out specifically [on The Real World] where just being black on that show stirred up a lot of shit. As far as how he treated the personal trainer, I was disapointed but thought they might have both been bttms.
As for "undeserved status" I dont know why some people used Karamo as an example of this because if you haven't noticed for quite a while there have been a slew of "reality show divas" poppin up all over...its the nature of the industry, from Amarosa to all those "nobody's" waiting to be selected by a man to marry and goin on The View the next day to seal in their instant celebrity status, so what's the deal with a gay brotha getting hate for breaking the surface?
K B
August 7 2006, 6:02PM
I guess I never bought into that "Don't hate the player, hate the game B.S."
I'm not hating on Karamo, I just find absolutely nothing appealing or interesting about him...and NOBODY has stated anything that they find appealing or interesting, either!
There are WAY too many cool, clever, imaginative, giving people in our community who are doing incredible things. Forget about the "slew of reality show divas" you mention and let's start recognizing our own where it is deserved--folks in our own backyard who are giving of themselves to change our lives and aren't making bank in the process!
Even though I think it is so silly to idolize a singer or athlete, at least they have a talent they are sharing with the world and our community. Karamo's got issues...and that's about it.
Liquid Fonts
August 7 2006, 8:22PM
K B either you are focused on raising community spirit and acknowledging people who make a difference without the bank accounts, (which resonated with me) -OR- this is about your issues with a certain star of a reality TV show (which you chose to lead with).
I understand that you were using Karamo as an example but mixing the two topics as you did (Karamo: Honoring everyday heroes) actually dilutes the real message (honoring everyday heroes) since it’s all littered with your ideas on Karamo. If you don’t want Karamo to snag up all the attention then why are you paying him so much of it?
I hope you choose to focus more on the positive things that you mentioned because those are things that can be accomplished, but you are less likely able to universally untie someone’s celebrity shoes and hand the pair to someone you feel is more fit, and even if you could, it be a waste of time and energy.
Invest fully in your main idea.