A-LISTS community by jared cox
BUSTING THROUGH THE ORANGE CURTAIN Orange County is not a stranger to Pride festivals. Orange County held its first Pride
event in 1988 at Santa Ana’s Centennial Park. The event was marked by angry protestors tossing urine-filled balloons, screaming anti-gays slurs at the attendees, and cheering an airplane hired to fly over the festival with a banner that read, “Sodomites out of Santa Ana! No AIDS in OC!” Since then the festival has grown to host approximately 10,000 participants in celebration of diversity on the campus of the University of California Irvine. By 2002, the event dwindled and became only a memory. With the passing of Prop 8, with an approval of 57 percent in Orange County, LGBT
residents and supporters in Orange County determined it was time to join forces and fight the ignorance and discrimination in their community. Within a week of the pas- sage of Prop 8, these community members joined together and formed the Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC). One of the main focuses of the OCEC was to breath new life an annual Pride event so that the local LGBT community could once again have a place to celebrate their diversity while renewing their spirits for the continued battle for equality and justice for all. In 2009, “Picnic in the Park,” marked the return of the first Pride event since 2001. The event grew large support from local businesses, organiza- tions, politicians, and artists, including Sal Lander, who performed at Orange County’s first Pride event in 1988. This year, organizers are taking Orange County Pride to the next level with the theme, “Busting Through the Orange Curtain.” This year, located at the Verizon Amphitheater Complex in Hidden Valley, Orange County Pride will feature three stages of entertain- ment. There will be a dance tent hosting some of Orange County’s hottest DJs including Ahmed, Zach Moos, and Saratonan. Comedians Cate Gary and Ryan Hill will host the main stage. Entertainers will include performances by Michael Hjortnaes, Clint Crisher, Jennifer Corday, Rhinestone Kittens, Celebration Inc., and more. Drag performances by Jizzona Straynger, Sparkle Stone, Mozie Pornwood, and Lady VaJayJay. The event will host Sister Shelby Hellbound, Bishop Mary Glasspool, the first openly lesbian Bishop, Joe Shaw, Beth Krom, and Melissa Fox. New this year, Orange County Pride has added a family fun area for entertainment
designed for parents and children. The “Kid’s Corner,” is a smoke and alcohol-free safe haven for kids and parents to participate in a variety of fun and exciting activates. In- cluded in the Kid’s Corner will be crafts, face painting, relay races, and singing-a-longs. This year’s Orange County Pride will be a shopper’s paradise. Merchants from the
12 RAGE monthly | AUGUST 2010
ORANGE COUNTY PRIDE 2010
community will be on hand providing products, information, and services to Pride- goers. Along with these merchants, politicians, religious organizations and other non-profit groups will be on hand to share information with participants. Orange County Pride began as a small group of LGBT community members and
supporters. The return of Pride to Orange County marks the perfect opportunity for businesses and organizations to reach out to an expected 2,000-3,000 individuals. This year’s Orange County Pride is made possible in part by various local and national corporations, merchants and individuals who contribute to the success of Pride not only here in Orange County, but across the country. This year’s sponsors include HB Geeks, The Rage Monthly Magazine, The Center Orange County, ID Lubricants, Men Alive, and more. The time is now; the place is Orange County. Mark you calendars for the return of Or-
ange County Pride, “Busting Through the Orange Curtain,” August 14th, noon to 10:00 p.m. at Hidden Valley in Irvine next to the Verizon Amphitheater. Advanced tickets are available online. Admission at the gate is $10. Children 12 and under enter for free. There are limited supplies of VIP tickets for $50. Parking is $7. No outside food or drinks, nor our beloved four-legged friends, will be allowed inside the festival.
For more information on Orange County Pride 2010, “Busting Through the Orange Curtain,” please visit
www.prideoc.com.
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