NOLA Pride: New Orleans Official Pride Brought Some 3,000 Out to the First Pride Street Festival
The last Sunday in June brought out an estimated 2,500-3,000 to the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann for New Orleans first Pride Street Festival. Presented by NOLA Pride, the exciting weeks leading up to the big day were filled with fund-raisers, shows, receptions and galas. The NOLA Pride Committee should be congratulated for trying this new venue, a mini-Southern Decadence style Bourbon Street Extravaganza celebrating 31 years of Pride in New Orleans. It generated much needed revenues throughout the GLBT and gay-friendly communities for area businesses hit hard by the results of BP's Gulf oil spill. It's great to see the communities come together to celebrate Pride, New Orleans style.
In addition to the 2nd Line Pride Parade featuring Pride Grand Marshals Steven Forster and Cathy Fox, and Mr. and Miss Gay Pride Travis Bergeron and Tami Tarmac, the street stage hosted loads of entertainment and moving speeches from political leaders and GLBT celebrities. New Orleans City Councilman Arnie Fielkow presented a city council proclamation recognizing NOLA Pride as New Orleans Official Pride, while New Orleans School Board's Thomas Robichaux presented a proclamation from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu echoing the same message.
Consider joining in next year's celebration tentatively scheduled for June 24-26, 2011 by joining the NOLA Pride Committee. You can make a difference!
The LGBT Community Center presents the NOLA Pride Celebration. For more information contact the Center at 504.945.1103 or visit NOLAPride2010.ORG.
