“I’ve seen a lot more women out there over the last year since Pride in the Street 2007 than my entire gay life,” said Loni McCartney, a board member on the Delta Foundation. More opportunities exist today to see Lesbian culture around us, she said.
Lesbian, Bisexual, and Sexual Priestesses
For Pride 2008, if you are a woman in this city you can see, touch, feel and be alive! Show your true colors. There are a lot of things the city has to offer. Read a book in a park alongside a woman of your choosing; Laugh on the bus alongside a woman 30 years older than yourself; Shake hands with someone you are dying to know. Then walk together along the streets of Liberty Avenue! Do this for your sisters out there in the world holding down forts, raising children, or proudly waving flags elsewhere in the universe.
Queer Greek
The history of woman is older than the history of man. Woman comes from the earth, from the air, from fire and water. As a woman, we are without beginning or end and her always. The history of Pride starts with men or women; when injustice and fear forces a person to step backward. Their hearts will rebel. Something pure like steel races forward. The history of steel is old and pure and natural and serves as a womb for the natives of Pittsburgh.
Goddesses Warriors
These are the words that define a woman who is a woman. Whether a lioness who runs the jungle and the lions of her pack; a beautiful blonde with the force of steel in her every move yet the graceful sway of karate; or bright eyed singer with freckles and green clothing; we are called woman for a reason.
Fairies Dykes
So what if one doctor says Men are From Mars and Women are from Venus the whole world of metaphors won’t crash around the misunderstanding. Men may be from Mars, and women may be from Venus, but there are other planets out there in the Universe and we will all be celebrating during June. The words that people use to define themselves are prerogatives, so shake rattle and roll and don’t forget to be yourself. Lady Luck, Faith and Justice made sure there is a venue, show or event for everyone; whether you are in the mood for a panty party, a film festival, church or parade. You’ll have a great time between during Pride Week June 16th – 22nd.
Bisexual, lesbian or straight women who love women will hear the call of the Pride celebrations during 2008 in Pittsburgh. There are women of every color, status and race.
There are beautiful, ugly and average women.
Religious, political and philosophical of heart. And there always will be as there always were. There is one woman from this city who joined the army while young, raised two strong young men and led her family while making beautiful artwork in jewelry, she is black, red and white all over and within herself. She dances at Native American festivities and calls herself prideful for a reason.
Our world, as women, relies on love, heartache, sacrifice. Our bodies are our sacred ground and whether Greek, Irish, Jewish or anything in between: we are called women for a reason.
Another woman of the Pittsburgh community fights for her young sisters in the poetry scene and loves her woman, she also takes the opportunity to provide direction for the young strong black men around her. Still another beautiful heart works within the gay and lesbian community and stays smart enough to rest and rejuvenate herself with a beautiful woman by her side.
Some women we never get to meet. They go on to become doctors, lawyers or volunteers and business entrepreneurs. Other women fight from the ground floor in stock markets, college fairgrounds, or armies. There are also women of this city that motivate and speak to their children or their neighborhoods. Others travel to far lands to speak in other languages with strangers; just to offer a helping hand.
There are at least two women in this city that fearlessly travel their own path, unafraid, and learn new things to follow their dreams.
Some women roar, others run, still others ride horses and drive fast cars and fly airplanes. Still others pray to the earth for nurture, healing and respect. There are women in every corner, on every wall and on the pages of every family photo album.
Hear us roar, speak, or whisper when you walk through the streets of Pittsburgh during Pride Week. Listen for the sounds of muses, musicians and revelers. Whether bohemian, gypsy, Celtic – we are free spirits. Whether 18 years old or 80, we are here for our own reasons.
Watch a majestic woman in black heels ride a Harley during the parade. See a beautiful poet speak of justice and hope and truth. Listen to the sounds of a woman proclaiming her warrior spirit in front of thousands of onlookers.
And as you travel from the outreaches of the city and state to get here, as you are admiring the landscape, the hills or the gardens, remember the women that contributed to those well laid plans.
Cross the simple, continuous or cantilever spans over the decks, ponies and trusses and under the arches of your favorite bridges. Admire the city in a neighborhood of your choosing, and remember Denise Scott Brown an important woman in the field of urban design.
Breathe in the air of the lady Pittsburgh, the aroma of young cooks and female chefs, and the scents of her perfume that will surround the celebration.
