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Boston Pride

NEWSLETTER - Vol. 3 No. 7 - June 2008
HAPPY PRIDE 2008!





Dear friends,

Boston Pride 2008 is here! Events have been going on all week, but it all culminates tomorrow, Saturday, June 14th, with one of the biggest parades Boston Pride has ever put on. But it's not over till it's over—Pride Week will draw to a close Sunday, June 15th, with our two signature block parties followed by the Boston Pride Closing Party at Roxy!

All we need now is YOU. We need your voices, your energy and your activism. Remember your first Pride? How amazing it was to see all those people who made you feel not quite so alone in the world? It’s always going to be someone’s first Pride… and they need to see you there!

Join us. And HAPPY PRIDE!

The Boston Pride Committee

Volunteer for Pride!
Become a Sponsor for Pride!
Donate to Pride!
1. Our Green Rainbow


In response to the community’s selection of this year’s Pride Theme “Sustaining Our Community, Conserving Our World,” Boston Pride is launching its first ever “Green Initiative.” The “Green Initiative” consists of a series of programs and events aimed at making the Boston Pride Celebration more environmentally friendly, at raising awareness of community-wide health issues, and at promoting cohesiveness of the various parts of our Community. A complete listing of activities will be released prior to Pride Week, so stay tuned for more info at www.BostonPride.org/Green, and email us at green@bostonpride.org to participate or suggest additional ideas and programs!
2. Meet Our Entertainers Here


This year, we have a fantastic lineup of performers!

Kimberley Locke—You may know Kimberley from American Idol season two, but we're betting what you'll remember after June 14th is her performance at Boston Pride! Kimberley's musical life began at a young age, but she thought she was putting it aside to pursue law school—until she landed a once-in-a-lifetime chance to appear on American Idol. She landed a recording contract with Curb Records and her first album, "One Love," soon followed in 2004. Her song "8th World Wonder" entered the Billboard chart in the number one slot. Her second album, "Based on a True Story," was released in 2007. Be sure to catch the pop- and R&B-influenced tunes of this talented singer and songwriter!

Kat DeLuna—20-year-old Kat DeLuna hit the top of the charts with her single "Whine Up," featuring Elephant Man, before her first album was even released. Born in the Bronx and raised in the Dominican Republic and New Jersey, Kat trained as an opera singer as a child and learned to appreciate a variety of music styles. At 14, as a student at the New Jersey School of the Performing Arts, she started an all-girl group named Coquette. Today, the bilingual singer brings the diverse threads of her musical and cultural background together in music that blends hip-hop, R&B, merengue, pop, Latin, jazz, electronic and dance styles.

All The Kings Men—For the past six years, local drag-king troupe All The Kings Men (ATKM) has been wowing audiences in Boston and New England with their uproarious blend of lip-synching, choreography and improv comedy. ATKM won the Boston Phoenix's Reader's Choice "Best Kept Secret" Award in 2004, and Curve Magazine named them one of the ten nationwide winners of the "2006 Best Lesbian Theatre Award."

Rizi Timane—Rizi Timane is a gospel singer who hails not from the South, but from the North...of Nigeria, that is. Born into the zuru tribe of Northern Nigeria, Rizi went to military school (because it was free, she explains) then moved to London, where she earned an MBA. After working as an art buyer, she ended up returning to her love of performing. Now, she has two albums to her name, the latest being "Just the Way You Are." Her website expands on the title: "Lets stop the hatred, fight the ignorance and spread the truth. God loves you just the way you are."

Lori Michaels—The multi-talented, out lesbian Lori Michaels has a debut CD, "Living My Life Out Loud," due to be released, and a hit song and dance club show, "Me & The Girls," in which she is both star and choreographer. She's also the founder and president of Reach Out, Inc., a non-profit organization that, according to its website, "educates and promotes awareness about the perils of illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, tobacco, crime, violence, prejudice, and life threatening diseases." No wonder GO! magazine called Lori a "Renaissance woman!"

Brendan Velasquez—Brendan Velazquez started producing his own blend of electronica, rock, and pop at the ripe young age of 16. Now, at 19, he has his first CD due to be released this summer. He's not just a man of music, though; he also has a message. After losing his father to AIDS in 2006, he is determined to educate youth about the importance of safer sex practices.

To learn more about our entertainers, check out our entertainment page.

3. ...Then Meet Them Live in the VIP Area


Join us for a VIP meet-and-greet at the first-ever Festival Beer Garden from 3 pm to 6 pm! A $5 entry fee and proper ID (21+ only) will get you in—the stars in your eyes might make you stay! Meet our Celebrity Marshal, Leslie Jordan, and all your favorite performing artists from our main stage.
4. Add Your Face to Our Facebook!


Boston Pride has entered the Facebook Age! If you use Facebook as an online social utility, you can now connect with others attending Boston Pride by adding us as a friend. Check our profile for old and new friends and share your hopes for Pride 2008 on our Wall. After Pride, tell us what you thought and share memories with other Pride-goers. You can also post your photos and tag them with "Boston Pride" so others can find them—and maybe even spot themselves! (Be sure to check other photos in our gallery to see if you see yourself!)


5. Keep the Party Going with Pride's Signature Block Parties (Sunday, June 15th)



JP Block Party

This year the JP Block Party invites you to PARTY ON THE PAVEMENT AT PERKINS!

Perkins Street will be transformed into a mini "big dig" area, with tool belt dancers, construction signs, safety vests, cones, flashing warning lights, and much, much more. DJ Kristin Korpos will be spinning your favorite tunes high above the crowd on a scissor lift stage.

And new this year is the smoke and alcohol-free zone for our friends who want a chill out with a soda, water or energy drink.

The Block Party will also offer Pride merchandise, clothes from dykesinthecity (DITC), body art, and $1 chair massages by a licensed massage therapist.

While you're there, you can also visit the MSPCA pet adoption booth and the Susan G Komen for a Cure booth to get info on their fight to find a cure for breast cancer.

You can find the JP Block Party at the corner of Perkins and Centre Street, in Jamaica Plain, on Sunday, June 15th from 1-7pm. $10 admission benefits Boston Pride.



Stuart Street Block Party

This year don't miss the 8th annual Stuart Street Block Party!

All-time favorite and international superstar Tracy Young is back by popular demand. She will be spinning hot dance music! Local and upcoming DJ Ranny will be opening the event at noon.

Hot dancers and drink specials… what else to conclude Boston Pride?! New this year, a smoke and alcohol-free zone will be available at the event! We will also be providing bike racks at the entrance, so be green and bike with Pride!

This Stuart Street Block Party is on Stuart between Arlington Street and Berkeley Street, but this year we're doing something different...The one and only entrance is on Berkeley Street! Doors open at noon. $10 admission benefits Boston Pride.
6. Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Boston Pride Team Up for Your Health!


Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure The Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate, is proud to be a partner of Boston Pride. The partnership is working together during Pride Week and throughout the year to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding around breast health. According to statistics from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the risk of breast cancer is higher among lesbian women who are less likely to have gone through childbirth and may not obtain regular medical care. Since reproductive issues are a primary reason many female-bodied people seek medical care, those who don't have reproductive concerns may not see a health-care provider routinely—and they may not receive timely advice and care for other issues, such as breast health, as a result. Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Boston Pride suggest:

• all people with breasts—no matter what their gender-identity—find a health-care provider who is sensitive to their health issues
• see that provider regularly
• follow the provider's advice concerning breast exams and mammograms.

To learn more, visit the Susan G. Komen booth at the Boston Pride Festival, and the JP Block Party!

For more information about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, please visit komenmass.org.
7. A Word to Our Sponsors


With a big and fabulous Pride celebration like ours, it may seem like Pride is an irrepressible force of nature that comes each June. The reality is that Boston Pride couldn't happen without our dedicated volunteers and the incredible support of our sponsors. Please join us in taking a moment to thank our sponsors for helping us make Boston Pride the amazing event that it is!

Stoli Bud Light Shawmut Design and Construction Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Verizon Wainwright Bank Chris Harris Presents Bank of America Hyatt Regency Bay Windows The Phoenix Edge Boston Macy's Borders City of Boston Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Downtown Crossing Association Faneuil Hall Marketplace Starbucks ID Lube Boston Pink Pages Boston Spirit Magazine Zipcar Hotels.com Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Bravo Ruff Studio Perri Mertens South Shore Music Circus Male Center Club Cafe Poland Spring Save That Stuff Pepsi Honest Tea


Please patronize our sponsors—and let them know you support them because they support US!
8. Pride Meetings


The Boston Pride Committee meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Wainwright Bank Community Room, 155 Dartmouth Street in Boston (next to Back Bay T Station). Meetings are open to anyone and we welcome your participation.

NOTE THAT THE NEXT PRIDE MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY JUNE 24, 2008.
9. About Boston Pride


The Boston Pride Committee is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Meet the Board of Directors and the Chairs of the Committee:

Keri Aulita - Vice President, Board of Directors
vp@bostonpride.org

David Avruch - Community Outreach Chair
outreach@bostonpride.org

Cookie Belcamino - JP Block Party Chair
jp-blockparty@bostonpride.org

Sylvain Bruni - Board of Directors
sbruni@bostonpride.org

Malcolm Carey - Parade Chair
parade@bostonpride.org

Kirk Dobson - Fundraising Chair
fundraising@bostonpride.org

Linda DeMarco - President, Board of Directors
president@bostonpride.org

Pierce Durkin - Clerk, Board of Directors
clerk@bostonpride.org

Michael Anthony Fowler - Logistics Chair
logistics@bostonpride.org

Kristie Helms - Board of Directors
khelms@bostonpride.org

Wilfred Labiosa - Board of Directors
wlabiosa@bostonpride.org

Shannon Lank - Entertainment Chair
entertainment@bostonpride.org

Jayme Martin - Festival Chair
festival@bostonpride.org

Cale Moore - Merchandise Chair
merchandise@bostonpride.org

Sarah Viera - Volunteer Chair
volunteer@bostonpride.org

Michael Young - Flag Raising / Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall Chair
faneuilhall@bostonpride.org

"The Boston Pride Committee, serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community, works to enhance the visibility of Boston's LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding."

Web: www.BostonPride.org
Email: info@bostonpride.org
PrideLine: 617-262-9405

Photo Credits: Michael Anthony Fowler, Marilyn Humphries - Design: Sylvain Bruni

Boston Pride and the Boston Pride logo are registered service marks
of the New Boston Pride Committee, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Please review our Service Mark Policy for more information.

Copyright © 2008 The New Boston Pride Committee, Inc. All rights reserved.