Come celebrate with us!
Can’t make it to Washington, DC, for the National Equality March on Sunday, October 11? Then come join Rainbow Pride of West Virginia at our annual Pride Picnic at Coonskin Park’s Riverside Pavilion just ten minutes from downtown Charleston. We can’t all make it to the big event, but we can show our solidarity and lend our voices to millions of others wherever we happen to be. So come party with us as we celebrate Equality, Diversity, and Unity.
October 11 is also National Coming Out Day. What better way to celebrate than to get together with your LGBT brothers and sisters from around the state and let everyone know that you’re proud to be who you are!
This year’s picnic will feature live music from the great Charleston-area band, the VooDoo Katz, who will be playing from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. After that, there will be a drag show starring several of your favorite local gender illusionists. Admission is free and your Pride committee will be providing free food and soft drinks. Plenty of free parking is available, but there are LIMITED reserved parking spaces near the Pavillion. To reserve a space, you MUST become a sponsor by clicking here or by writing us at contact@pridewv.org. Sponsorship also includes two free t-shirts and a mention from the stage.
The picnic begins at noon and continues until dusk. You can click here for more information on Coonskin Park, including directions.
Miss Pride 09 Benefit
Our 2009 Miss Pride, Akasha Lapre Karmichael, has scheduled her next benefit for Saturday, October 10, at the Polo Club in Huntington, beginning at 9:00 pm. We’d like to see as many members as possible turn out and support Akasha as she raises awareness (and cash!) for Rainbow Pride.
Pride committee seeks your input!
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia is a non-profit organization that exists to serve the LGBT community. This past Tuesday we had our Pride ‘09 “Wrap-up” meeting, where we discussed the pros and cons of the various events that made up Pride Week. Several interesting points were made and we talked about some new ideas for 2010. Now it’s your turn. What were some of your favorite things about Pride ‘09? Where do you think we could use some improvement? What would you like to see changed or added for next year?
Remember, the Pride committee is here for your benefit. We don’t know how we’re doing unless you let us know. So please feel free to share! We want to hear the good *and* the bad. Leave a comment on this post, drop us a line on facebook or myspace, or email us at contact@pridewv.org
Meet Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Akasha Lapre Karmichael came bounding into the Pride offices Saturday, looking a bit run down, but still all smiles. The night before, he’d won the Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia pageant, a drag competition held at the Clay Center as part of Gay Pride Week in Charleston.
“We didn’t get home until four this morning,” …
2009 Power of One Award Recipient: Reverend Jim Lewis
Jim Lewis was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and Virginia Theological Seminary. Jim has been actively engaged, over the past 40 years, addressing the social issues in local communities he’s served as an Episcopal clergyperson. Serving churches and dioceses in Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Delaware, he has organized parishes and communities around such issues as health care for women, child care, AIDS, prison and criminal justice issues, capital punishment, antiwar organizing, GLBT rights, housing issues, and racial equality. Jim has been active in war and peace issues since coming out of the U.S. Marine Corps where he was an infantry officer.
In 1976, as the rector of St John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston, Jim opened the church to the first gay and lesbian support group. He also performed two gay blessings at the church which brought gay and lesbian issues to the forefront of the church’s life in the community. In North Carolina, Jim helped organize the Raleigh Religious Network for Gay and Lesbian Equality and lobbied the legislature in support of GLBT issues. For the second time in his ministry, he was threatened with an ecclesiastical trial for his willingness to perform gay blessings.
Of particular note is the work that Jim conducted on the Delmarva Peninsula (the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia). It was there that poultry process plant workers, chicken catchers, poultry farmers, environmentalists, unions, and community churches came together to form the Delmarva Poultry Justice Alliance, an organization addressing the injustices and abuses in the poultry industry. That work was featured in a 1999 “Sixty Minutes” piece with Mike Wallace. This work in the Delmarva also involved the creation of a Latino community center, a health clinic for the poor, a shelter for battered Latina women, and a program to assist men coming out of prison.
Jim received the West Virginia Governor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” award in 1991 and was honored in Delaware by Pacem in Terris in October, 2001, as a “Peacemaker Among Us.” He holds an honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Jim is the author of West Virginia Pilgrim (Seabury Press); The Gulf War: The Churches & Peacemaking (North Carolina Council of Churches); and has contributed to Strike Terror No More: Theology, Ethics, and the New War (Chalice Press) and Workers Rights as Human Rights (Cornell University Press). Jim also writes a regular online newsletter, “Notes From Under the Fig Tree.”
Active in anti-death penalty work in West Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina and Delaware, Jim was one of the founders of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty in North Carolina. Jim has done civil disobedience around coal mine issues, U.S. involvement in war in Central America, and poultry labor issues. Over the years, he has made peace and justice trips to Libya, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Cuba, Central America, and Iraq. Since returning to Charleston, he has been actively involved in organizing West Virginia Patriots for Peace.
Jim is married to Judy Graham Lewis. They have a son, three daughters, and nine grandchildren.
Please join us 6:00 PM Saturday evening, June 6, at the Charleston House Holiday Inn for the Power of One Award Dinner. Tickets are $35 per person, which also gets you free admission to the Rainbow Party at the same location immediately following the dinner. Please click here to purchase tickets online using Paypal or else write to contact@pridewv.org for more information.
2009 Pride Festival Final Calendar
Alright gang!
We’re 16 days out until the 13th Annual West Virginia Pride Parade and Festival! Get your calendars ready and your hotel reservations booked.
Click event banner below for Calendar listing
Keep in mind that we have two events that will sell out! Tickets are now available for purchase online and we highly suggest that you reserve your tickets now.
Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia 2009
The Clay Center, One Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301
May 29th 2009. 6:00pm
That’s right. Ms RPWV 2009 will be at the Clay Center this year! Join us in our largest venue in RPWV history at West Virginia’s premiere facility to the Arts and Sciences. This WILL sell out!
$15/person Order Ticket
$70/table (includes admission for 4 attendees) Order Ticket
Power of One Award Dinner
Charleston House – Holiday Inn, 600 Kanawha Blvd East, Charleston WV
Each year, Rainbow Pride of West Virginia recognizes an individual who has proven invaluable to the LGBT community in West Virginia. Join us for dinner and a keynote speech delivered by this year’s reciepient of the award.
$35 includes dinner with vegetarian options – Order Ticket
**Purchase of tickets to this event includes admission to the After Party, The Rainbow Party, in the lounge from 9pm to 12pm.**
Info for Pride Festival Vendors
The following rules are in effect for vendors at this year’s Pride Parade & Festival:
- Vendor setup is from 8AM to 11AM. Vendors will not be permitted entrance to the festival grounds for setup after 11AM.
- Vendors are responsible for cleanup and maintenance of their assigned space.
- Vending of sexually explicit materials and drug paraphernalia will not be permitted.
- Rainbow Pride of West Virginia and the City of Charleston will not and can not provide electricity to vendors. Vendors may use quiet generators. Power sources must be self sustaining, quiet, and properly maintained. Generator use is only permitted between the hours of 9AM and 2PM. All generators must remain off during the festival program.
- Vendor teardown is permitted at 4:00. Vehicles will be permitted at 5:00PM for transport of vendor items.
- Vendors are only to operate in their assigned space with respect to other vendors.
- Vendors spaces are assigned upon arrival at the discretion of Rainbow Pride of WV beginning at 9AM. Vendor assignments are final.
- The use of recycling bins by vendors and patrons is encouraged. Vendors will be assigned bags to assist with this process.
- Prior to departure vendors must check in with Rainbow Pride staff for site inspection.
- Vendors are responsible providing all tables, chairs, awnings, and all needed supplies.
Miss Pride & Mr. Pride Contestant Packet
Ok Ladies and Men.
Two events. Mr. Pride & Miss Pride. Are you in?
Miss Pride
Walker Theater @ the Clay Center
May 29th at 6pm
Mr. Pride
Broadway, Charleston
June 5th at 10pm
Download Contestant Packet
Click here to download the 2009 Contestant Packet (PDF file. Adobe Acrobat required)
2009 Pride Parade & Festival
***ALL DATES / EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE & CANCELLATION***
This year Rainbow Pride of West Virginia’s Pride Parade and Festival celebrates it’s 13th anniversary. This yearly event allows our community show everyone that we DO exist in West Virginia and are PROUD to be gay West Virginians. This is not about ’shoving it’ in anyone’s face, but a command that we at the very least deserve respect and recognition.
Calendar
Dates will be added as confirmed
***ALL DATES / EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE & CANCELLATION***
If you have questions, click on Contact at the top of the page or drop us an email to contact@pridewv.org
5/29/09
Miss Pride of West Virginia
The Clay Center, 1 Clay Sq, Charleston WV 25301
6:00 PM $70/table of four (buy tickets online @ www.pridewv.org)
5/30/2009
WV Rainbow Run – Covenant House Benefit
(5K Race, 5 Walk and 1 Mile Walk) 8 AM registration, 9 AM race begins
Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury St, Charleston, WV 25301
Minimum donation of $25 per person – ($10 for children under age 18)
The Dance for Those Who Can’t a Benefit for The Living AIDS Memorial Garden
21+ – The Broadway Lounge, 210 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV 25301
7:00PM $35/person –>
5/31/2009
The Huntington Pride Picnic
All Ages, Rotary Park Pavilion, Huntington, WV
Noon- Dusk $5.00, 12 and under, FREE
Mountain State Bear Contest
21+ – The Broadway Lounge 210 Leon Sullivan Way Charleston, WV 25301
10:00PM $5.00
6/1/2009
Interfaith 2009
Asbury United Methodist Church, 501 Elizabeth St, Charleston, WV 25311
6:00 PM FREE. Donations Accepted.
Pride Open House
Pride Community Office 501 Elizabeth St. Room 11 Charleston, WV 25311
7:30 PM FREE
6/2/2009
Rainbow Talk Picnic Pot Luck – Women Only
Coonskin Park, Shelter 18, Charleston, WV
Bring Covered Dish for Entrance
6:00PM. FREE
Primetimers Wine Tasting
502 Elizabeth St, Charleston, WV 25311
7PM – 9PM, FREE, Donations Accepted
6/3/2009
A Pie Social- Presented by Ignition – A Social Group for Men 18-32
Ignition Office (formerly MPowerment – 501 Elizabeth St. Charleston, WV 25311
Open to All
6PM-9PM FREE
Documentary Night – For the Bible Tells Me So
An award-winning documentary, which brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and
Biblical scripture – and reveals that religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely
upon a misinterpretation of the Bible.
Taylor Books, 226 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301
All Ages – 6:30 PM FREE
6/4/2009
Pride Doggie Day – Bring Your Dog!
Ruth Raferty Peyton Dog Park – Corner of Washington & Maxwell St, Charleston
$5.00 – Entry Fee In to Doggie Competition and Free for other dogs!
All Ages – 6PM FREE
6/5/2009
Womyn’s Night At The Park – Appalachian Power Park
Corner of Morris and Lewis St, Charleston WV
9:00PM – Women Only – Ages 18-20 $7.00 – Ages 21+ $5.00
Sponsored by the National Organization for Women
Ms and Mr L Pride – Appalachian Power Park
12:00am – Corner of Morris and Lewis St, Charleston, WV
FREE with Wymen’s night or $5.00 (21+ Ages All Sexes), $7.00- (Ages 18-20 )
Mr Pride of West Virginia – Broadway Lounge
210 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV 25301
$10.00 – 10pm – Regular Admission (21+ M and F)
Bear Pride 2009
USA All Star Performance -Presented by Bear Men of WV- Robb Shinn and Bob Williamson – Jackhammer Bar. Emcee: Miss Gay United States Ashley Adams 2009-2010
2008 Mr. USA Bear Tim Allen and others
11:00 PM 2127 Manchester Avenue, Huntington, WV
$5.00 donation suggested benefiting Mr WV Bear Contest
(21+ M and F)
Rocky Horror Picture Show – DownHome Decadence – Gay Night
Dance party – 9:45 pm., Preshow – 10:00pm Showtime -10:20 pm
$3.00 Admission – 1021 4th Ave, Huntington, WV
6/6/2009
Track and Field Day – Volleyball Tournament – Bring Your Team
Coonskin Park, Charleston – Volleyball Courts
Team Signup begins at Noon – FREE- Donations Accepted (All Ages M and F)
Power of One Award Dinner
Charleston Holiday House – Holiday Inn
6:00 PM – $35.00 Per Person (All Ages M and F)
Rainbow Party – Power of One After Party
Charleston Holiday House – Holiday Inn
9:00 PM FREE with Power of One ticket – $10.00 – 18+ M and F
Bear Pride 2009
Mr. West Virginia Bear Contest 2009 – USA Unlimited Bear Presented by Bear Men Of WV Robb Shinn and Bob Williamson Jackhammer Bar
First Ever for WV – 10:00 PM
The Jackhammer
2127 Manchester Avenue, Huntington, WV
$5.00 – Admission benefiting Bear Men of WV and Contest (21+ M and F)
Leather Pride 2009 – Mountain State Knights
$5.00 – 10pm Longfork Campground and Resort. Walton WV
www.longfork.com
6/7/2009
13th Pride Parade and Festival
Haddad Park – Capitol St – Davis Park. Charleston, WV
Sunrise Prayer
7:00AM Davis Park Pavilion – Corner of Lee and Capitol Street
Group / Vendor Setup
8:00AM – 11:00AM
Capitol St between Lee and Washington St
Must be setup by 11:00AM – Streets Closures in effect at 11AM All supporters welcome. No Electricity Provided.
Parade Lineup
12:30PM-Parade lineup. Parade steps off at 1:30PM
Parade
1:30PM- Get Your Spot Early! Parade moves from Haddad Park, to Davis Park via Capitol Street.
Festival
11AM – 5PM
Davis Park Corner of Lee and Capitol Streets, Charleston, WV
Join us as we celebrate our 13th year and honor our community
Leaders enjoy entertainment, vendors and information booths galore!
Power of One Award Dinner
Each year, Rainbow Pride of West Virginia recognizes an individual who has proven invaluable to the LGBT community in West Virginia. Join us for dinner and a keynote speech delivered by this year’s reciepient of the award.
Admission – -
$35 includes dinner with vegetarian options
**Purchase of tickets to this event includes admission to the After Party, The Rainbow Party, in the lounge from 9pm to 12pm.**
Purchase Tickets
a. Buy Online Here
b. Mail Check for $35/person to
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia
P.O. Box 2624
Charleston, WV 25329
Charleston House – Holiday Inn
600 Kanawha Blvd E
Charleston, WV 25301