PrideFest coverage weak, disappointing

Michelle Gebhart, Denver

Published June 28, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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June 28, 2008

1:06 a.m.

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gavinsca writes:

I was there with my wife and 12yo daughter, because we want to show her that tolerance and diversity are to be welcomed. Regrettably, we're ahead of the news journals in this town, since they'll cover about any other parade Downtown with more visibility than Pride. Would that they took pride in reporting the news despite what the bigots might say.
June 28, 2008

1:16 a.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

PrideFest was all over the Denver broadcast media Sunday and Monday, getting much more attention than it deserved.
June 28, 2008

1:22 a.m.

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clyde writes:

And NAMBLA didn't get the coverage it wanted... Your point??
June 28, 2008

1:40 a.m.

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cakeckh writes:

PrideFest is this a celebration for Gill, Stryker, and Polis? Or is it a celebration for SB200? Dress anyone?
June 28, 2008

5:38 a.m.

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GK writes:

The bigots are up early today.
June 28, 2008

6:41 a.m.

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T1anda writes:

Classless and tacky!!
June 28, 2008

6:47 a.m.

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Mike_In_Hartsel writes:

Maybe no one cares except those who attended?
June 28, 2008

7:06 a.m.

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Mike846 writes:

The event got about as much coverage, maybe more, than St. Patrick's Day, Columbus Day (usually only covered for the anti-free speech screeds of supposed American Indian opponents), Cinco de Mayo (coverage of that was less, too), etc, etc. Maybe its finally joined the numerous celebrations of "other" cultures that have always been embraced by our country. Isn't that the point? That this group is just one of many "regular" and legitimate celebrations? Being equal, which I support strongly, is wonderful; being "extra special" is not. Why not revel in the "normalness" of the celebration? Mike
June 28, 2008

7:07 a.m.

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leftside writes:

Mike_in Hartsel makes an excellent point. There are lots of great things that go on in a city like Denver that don't get put in the paper at all.
June 28, 2008

7:13 a.m.

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p_myers661 writes:

It is an improvement from the concentration on fringe or extreme groups that seemed to take over Pridefest last year. My son usually goes to the parade with his friends and I make them a big box lunch for ten or twenty. This year he and his friends said they weren't going and I didn't ask why.

Was the turnout this year smaller than usual? I am a conservative Christian, but they are adults and entitled to their own actions and responsible for them.

And, tantrum coming, if I hear NAMBLA again I'm going to scream. That is a very very fringy group that is pedophiles, not mainstream gay people. It is a sign of ignorance to mix the two together. It is like saying that the extreme right wing groups are a true representation of conservatives. End it. We have more work to do to in many areas. My favorite is to increase use of coal. With minor research, and I do mean high school level chemistry in most cases, coal can be safely burned and the resultant residue can be used to replace gasoline with only a bit of water and a minor energy source. Most refineries have the technology on hand to deal with slurry as an oil substitute. Adding it up and putting in a time line, make it two years to dollar gallon fuel with modifications on vehicles. Oil should drop like a rock if we start using it too. Excuse me. I have work to do.
June 28, 2008

7:13 a.m.

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Shadow writes:

Your right it did ot get enough attention. A good friend from district 6 DPD, told me how they had more police calls then at cinco de mayo. No mention of the arrests made. Or for what reason. No coverage of ow they closed down more streets then at cinco de mayo in the downtown area. How many buisness in Denver had to clse their doors for the day.

Yep very little coverage of this. But what do you expect from the Rocky. If it isn't bashing conservatism and family values its not news.
June 28, 2008

7:14 a.m.

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Shadow writes:

Your right it did ot get enough attention. A good friend from district 6 DPD, told me how they had more police calls then at cinco de mayo. No mention of the arrests made. Or for what reason. No coverage of ow they closed down more streets then at cinco de mayo in the downtown area. How many buisness in Denver had to clse their doors for the day.

Yep very little coverage of this. But what do you expect from the Rocky. If it isn't bashing conservatism and family values its not news.
June 28, 2008

7:21 a.m.

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zivo24 writes:

Clyde is OBSESSED with NAMBLA. He brings them up everytime there's even a mention of the word in a thread.

You gotta love his logic though - all gay issues must somehow be associated with NAMBLA.

So, therefore all white people must be affiliated with the KKK.

All religious people must be somehow linked to The People Temple, the Branch Davidians and Heaven's Gate.

Do I need to go on?
June 28, 2008

7:34 a.m.

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LetsThink writes:

Radical homosexual activists are effectively forcing America to condone and encourage their behavior. Then to 'reward' it (already happening).

What people were ashamed of only two generations ago, now we want to shout it from the front page of our newspapers.

Do we have any concern that this defiance might offend the Creator of the Universe (God)? Have any of us read our Bible (His word). Are we no longer afraid of God's wrath??

And we need to a word search for the word 'PRIDE' in the Bible. And see how God views it.

If there are any Christians out there, please pray for the moral collapse of America. Before it is too late.
June 28, 2008

8:12 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

I say to each their own. Do what you want to do...behind closed doors, I just dont need or want it thrown in my face at every turn.
June 28, 2008

8:23 a.m.

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Tom writes:

Wow, LetsThink. Let's think...

"Radical homosexual activists are effectively forcing America to condone and encourage their behavior. Then to 'reward' it (already happening)."

Forcing? Encouraging? Rewarding? Specifics, please. Their behavior? You mean positive self-esteem and actual feelings of self-worth? Shameful!

"What people were ashamed of only two generations ago, now we want to shout it from the front page of our newspapers."

Maybe the fact that people were ashamed of who they were two generations ago was itself a social travesty. Maybe the shame resulted in violence and suicide and "shouting it out" and being proud of who you are is a GOOD thing.

"Do we have any concern that this defiance might offend the Creator of the Universe (God)?"

Nope.

"Have any of us read our Bible (His word). Are we no longer afraid of God's wrath??"

Nope. Haven't been afraid of the boogie man since I was a little kid.

Let's just remember that more people have been killed, and more wars have been fought, in the name of "God" than for any other reason.

Sorry if this got a little off-topic.
June 28, 2008

8:25 a.m.

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vudumom writes:

Why is it if you do not agree with a behavior you are a bigot?
Why is it if you do not agree with Obama you are a racist?
Why is it if you do not agree with open borders you are a racist?
Why is it if you do not agree with a sexual behavior you are a bigot?

I was under the impression that even if you do not agree with a lifestyle,behavior,criminal act or a racial group you are still entitled to you opinion and thus protected under the Constitution.

Everyone is not going to like everyone else. Everyone is not going to agree with everyone else's lifestyle choices or beliefs.
I am tired of not being able to have an opinion because someone else doesn't agree with it. We all can't be the same , feel the same and act the same. We are not robots and still live in a free society, for now.
June 28, 2008

8:25 a.m.

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LetsThink writes:

Tom
Choose carefully where you are going to spend eternity.
Looks like you already have.
It's going to be a terribly long time.
Are you certain you've made the right decision?
(shaking your fist at God, in defiance)
June 28, 2008

8:30 a.m.

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Tom writes:

Oh, and I love this one:

"...I just dont need or want it thrown in my face at every turn."

So how do you think GLBT people feel when, everywhere you turn, heterosexual institutions and behaviors are presented as the norm? From advertising to proms to weddings... it's hetero or it's nothing! Talk about "in my face at every turn"!
June 28, 2008

9:41 a.m.

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Brain writes:

I agree with sheepherder and vudumom; if I choose not to be interested or associate with that "culture?" that is my right; this parade may not deserve front page headlines.
June 28, 2008

10:02 a.m.

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primafacie writes:

Didn't I read this letter in the Denver Post the other day?

Pride Fest may be amusing and self-indulgent to the small minority of gays — by definition that makes them out of the mainstream — but it’s little more than a sideshow of wannabe circus performers to the rest of us.

The Post apparently recognized the event as one of the six or seven most interesting or important topics of the day by placing it on Monday’s front page. You apparently missed that, Miss Gebhart.

How a few thousand folks in drag rates as an “important event” needs to be explained. (I was downtown and can attest that there were significantly fewer than 200,000 people.) And how feather boas and clown costumes advance the gay agenda remains a mystery.

But it's clear that gay activists don't want mere acceptance or tolerance. They want to be embraced and seen as "normal" ... or do they?
June 28, 2008

11:55 a.m.

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gary writes:

Don't ask, don't tell..

Nuff Said!
June 28, 2008

11:58 a.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

Tpm: So how do you think GLBT people feel when, everywhere you turn, heterosexual institutions and behaviors are presented as the norm?

Uh, sorry, *they ARE the norm*.
June 28, 2008

12:07 p.m.

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Newenergycommie writes:

Based on the response to Miss Gebhart's letter, Pridefest should have been covered as news. There are strong opinions on both sides, idiots on both sides and rational people on both sides. News should be the presenting of facts without commentary.

Who? the gay and lesbian community and their supporters.
What? held a Pridefest Celebration.
Where? Denver.
When? last weekend.
Why? You'd have to ask those that attended. My guess is they have a lot to celebrate considering California's legalizing gay marriage.

Pridefest was planned, it happened and people attended, even though some people will be offended.

Sounds like a news story to me.
June 28, 2008

12:31 p.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

Trythinking: It WAS covered, just not as prominently as the letter writer wanted.
June 28, 2008

12:39 p.m.

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Alive writes:

I knew it! Wechasa is an old queen! A lonely one it seems. You would think someone so close to the end would try not to be so consumed with hatred. Oh well, it's his dime he can spend it like he wants.
June 28, 2008

12:51 p.m.

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Newenergycommie writes:

WestminsterJ,

There is a story about Pridefest that apparently attracted 200,000, although like the million man march this might be an exaggeration, so say it was 50,000 Coloradoans. And another story where is god (not the real God by the way. That would be news!) selling cocaine near a Florida church. I saw the second story and never did see the first. In your opinion which is the more relevant story to present to Colorado readers on the front page of a major Colorado newspaper? Doesn't Ms. Gerhart make a valid point? Don’t make your judgment based on the subject of the story, but on its relevance to the people of Colorado. I disagree with Ms. Gerhart that the sports bar story was out of place. The young woman was from the Springs and an outdoors person. That is very relevant. Throw in a little juvenile humor at that is a front page piece.
June 28, 2008

1:37 p.m.

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Ofearghail writes:

"So how do you think GLBT people feel when, everywhere you turn, heterosexual institutions and behaviors are presented as the norm? From advertising to proms to weddings... it's hetero or it's nothing!"

That is simple - because heterosexual activity IS normal. Homosexual behavior is not. That does not make homosexual people "evil," but you cannot claim that a behavior that goes against the natural nature of sexuality is "normal."
June 28, 2008

2:22 p.m.

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Tom writes:

"That is simple - because heterosexual activity IS normal."

Hate to point out the obvious, but heterosexual activity is NOT normal or natural for LGBT people. The celebration of heterosexuality throughout society sends a destructive message to millions of gay/lesbian people that "there is something WRONG with you."

At my workplace, colleagues tend to announce they are getting married or are expecting a child at staff meetings where everyone then applauds. Why do straight people get ovations for having sex while LGBT people are hated for acting on the same natural (for them) instinct?

And have you noticed all the immature, sniggering "drop the soap" jokes and pronouncements that LGBT people are "not normal" in the above posts? There has never been such an eloquent call for continued Pride celebrations in the future. We have a long way to go.
June 28, 2008

2:51 p.m.

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Hazardous_T writes:

Once the supposedly "progressive" left banned homosexuality by "choice" the fate of the gay community was sealed.

It's only a matter of time before these useful idiots are no longer useful. Then you will see the left's eugenics pogrom attempt to slaughter enough babies and splice enough stem cells to eradicate the flawed gene that supposedly causes homosexuality. This exact scenario played out with Hitler and Ernst Roehm, leader of the Sturm Abteilung (SA) which put Hitler in power. The left is notoriously cannibalistic towards those that put them in power.

Don't believe it? Just a brief look at history shows that Socialism murdered more people in the 20th century than all of the religious wars combined.
June 28, 2008

3:16 p.m.

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Michael writes:

"...heterosexual institutions and behaviors are presented as the norm?" - Tom
Maybe because heterosexual institutions and behaviors ARE THE NORM?????
June 28, 2008

4:41 p.m.

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me2 writes:

Tom, I promise that we leftist activists for gay rights will not go into the laboratory and try to splice genes and do away with gays.

I guess hazardous thinks science is run by liberals and all liberals are bio-chemists.

If the letters here represent the best of the anti-gays, this is a winnable fight.
June 28, 2008

7:52 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

" Trythinking writes:

Based on the response to Miss Gebhart's letter, Pridefest should have been covered as news. There are strong opinions on both sides, idiots on both sides and rational people on both sides. News should be the presenting of facts without commentary.

Who? the gay and lesbian community and their supporters.
What? held a Pridefest Celebration.
Where? Denver.
When? last weekend.
Why? You'd have to ask those that attended. My guess is they have a lot to celebrate considering California's legalizing gay marriage.

Pridefest was planned, it happened and people attended, even though some people will be offended.

Sounds like a news story to me. "

I notice that you left out the HOW....

Maybe, just MAYBE the majority of the people in Denver don't want the spectacle that Pridefest has become in San Francisco....

Where people show HOW gay sex is performed....
June 28, 2008

10:03 p.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

Trythinking: Newspapers like RMN often include "novelty" stories like the "God" story on their front pages to attract readers, and relegate more relevant stories to page 2 etc. You and I might agree that that's not very professional, but it doesn't, in this case, necessarily indicate anti-gay animus.
You make some good points about the newsworthiness of this year's Pridefest. It is certainly a noteworthy turnout. On the other hand, this was an event that has happened for several years previous, so the novelty factor isn't there.
June 28, 2008

10:09 p.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

I note also that the "Nation" section has a long, detailed, and, I would argue, pro-gay, article on the San Francisco gay pride parade, and the worldwide gay pride movement.
June 28, 2008

11:26 p.m.

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Jonjonmon writes:

why is it that gays need a parade to celebrate their "diverse" lifestyle? Tell me, where is the "fornication pride" parade or the "co-habitation" pride parade. Why do people who live this lifestyle want to be treated "equally" yet they, themselves hold parades to set themselves apart? It's almost a contradiction.
June 29, 2008

12:18 a.m.

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freethinker07 writes:

Just for comparison purposes, I checked to see how many stories there were in the Rocky about Easter this year. Since more than 50% of the 4.7 million Coloradan are Christian and many of them went to church on Easter, I figured that it might have been well covered. There were 10 RMN stories that even mentioned Easter and churches. How many people were at the parade?
June 29, 2008

1:14 a.m.

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Hazardous_T writes:

I can see that logic and critical thinking are not me2's strong suit. In fact even the moniker implies the lemming gene, after all we evolved from small furry animals... Right?

"I guess hazardous thinks science is run by liberals and all liberals are bio-chemists."

Ummm no... I believe in the intentional use of words and I never used the word "liberal" or stated that they were all "bio-chemists".

As for lemming2's statement "I promise that we leftist activists for gay rights will not go into the laboratory and try to splice genes and do away with gays." don't be so sure...

Gay brothers may hold genetic clues
Study seeks scientific explanation for roots of homosexuality
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21309724/

Perhaps me2 didn't get the memo on the basic goals of Socialism...
June 29, 2008

9:18 a.m.

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HOOK writes:

Ummmmmmmm, I’m all for gay/lesbian pride week, to each their own. That being said, ahhhhhhhhhh, there was plenty of coverage on pride week, just do a little backtracking and you will see, and, they threw in the California ruling as well. I’m not ecstatic about the reporting the RMN does, but in this case you are wrong, there was plenty! If you want to open the paper and see nothing but stories about gay/lesbian stuff, read another paper! Pride week is no more news than anything else.
June 29, 2008

11:50 a.m.

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kevinjjones writes:

I thought the photos were nauseating. If I had kids, I wouldn't let them read the Rocky.

"Gay pride" is a fringe interest best left to alternative magazines like Westword. Most people do not want to know about these "alternative lifestyles." GLBT encroachment into the major papers reflects the press' descent into niche marketing and its unwillingness, or perhaps inability, to appeal to a wider audience. While the Rocky will attract more gays, it'll likely have fewer subscribers.
June 29, 2008

5:11 p.m.

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John Temple writes:

The original letter from Michael Gebhart, while provocative, does not characterize accurately the Rocky's coverage of Pridefest. You can learn more about what the Rocky has done in recent years on my blog at http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/te...

John Temple/Editor
June 29, 2008

6:43 p.m.

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koop writes:

The original letter writer is correct. A guy strutting down Colfax in bottomless chaps is every bit as newsworthy as The Naked Cowboy.

My guess is it's a failing of the medium. Newspapers just can't catch the fabulous glimmer of a bunch of middle age guys strolling in sequenced ball-gowns. Without sound how can you appreciate the thunder of a dozen "Dykes on Bykes" rolling by.

Who needs to go half way around the world for a sports bra story when we have mustached men modeling the finest from Fredricks of Hollywood right here?

That kind of stuff never gets stale. I don't care what anyone says, a bunch of guys dancing shirtless to a pounding Donna Summer disco beat is a relevant now as it was in 1975.
June 29, 2008

7:38 p.m.

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rjnova writes:

Aside from the ludicrous, Gay Pride Marches are part of the in your face accept and hear of my sexual proclivities that are a constant from the homosexual/lesbian group. If I choose not to hear about heterosexual activities the last thing I want to hear or see is homosexual/lesbian activities. One is as uninteresting as the other. I suspect it comes under the label of exhibitionism or maybe voyeurism. Both suggest a lack of normalcy or even an abnormalcy, in the least incivility.

By any measure I suppose if the march received little attention it received more than it deserved. I suppose if one has to talk about it at all times it shows a remarkable lack of aptitude for concentration.
June 29, 2008

8:24 p.m.

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Uno writes:

Where is titancain, he would have his pantyhose bunched up about some of these comments.

This parade gives a good insight of what's coming to the middle and high schools near you.
June 29, 2008

10:33 p.m.

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BJG writes:

I'll throw my two cents in here. Some of you have written that pridefest is a group of abnormal people marching to gain attention. Well let's look at the St Paddy's Day parade, a group marching wearing green shamrocks, some with painted faces, and "kiss me I'm Irish buttons,dancing jigs in the street. How about the Shriners, grown men in itty bitty cars, scooting all over the streets and wearing what looks like a big cranberry cup on their head. And how about the "cowboys and cowgirls" who parade down the street for the stock show? And then Denverites are asked to "dress" in their best western wear to support the Stock Show people. So let the Pridefest people have the parade, without comment from those who are "experts" in "normal" behavior.
June 29, 2008

10:37 p.m.

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skeptical writes:

me2 writes
If the letters here represent the best of the anti-gays, this is a winnable fight.

Sorry Sharon, but the most damning anti-gay letters are found in the Bible, and no one wins in that fight. The Lord would rather that sinners (homo, hetero) repent and come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ.
June 29, 2008

11:32 p.m.

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skeptical writes:

OG writes in regard to a previous post:
And, none of it bearing the slightest resemblence to sense, or reality.

Now tell me OG, what you see in the "parades" of the Denver and SF gay pride events that bear any resemblence to reality or show any sense.

You get the award for the last comic standing in this thread.
June 30, 2008

11:29 a.m.

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Woogford writes:

So when is the overweight, middle aged, white male parade? Or did I miss it?
June 30, 2008

6:12 p.m.

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Hazardous_T writes:

Wechasa writes:

If it be true – as many say it is – that ignorance is bliss, then we certainly have some of the most blissful people on earth posting regularly here. Certainly, one of the more monumentally blissful of these must be the poster, "Hazardous_T
Ignoring the work of medicine, psychology, and other sciences - which have given us the understanding that the idea of sexual orientation as "choice" alone is nothing more than superstition, and intentionally malicious intellectual dishonesty - this poster talks about the "progressive left", and the "goals of socialism", as if that kind of imbecilic fantasy projection overrides the accumulation of factual evidence".

Yeah, yuk it up laughing boy, but the fact is, we who pay attention have seen and heard it all before...

"National Socialist and Christian concepts are incompatible. The Christian Churches build upon the ignorance of men and strive to keep large portions of the people in ignorance because only in this way can the Christian Churches maintain their power. On the other hand, National Socialism is based on scientific foundations. Christianity's immutable principles, which were laid down almost two thousand years ago, have increasingly stiffened into life-alien dogmas. National Socialism, however, if it wants to fulfill its task further, must always guide itself according to the newest data of scientific researches.

"The Christian Churches have long been aware that exact scientific knowledge poses a threat to their existence. Therefore, by means of such pseudo-sciences as theology, they take great pains to suppress or falsify scientific research...No one would know anything about Christianity if pastors had not crammed it down his throat in his childhood. The so-called loving God by no means reveals the knowledge of His existence to young people, but amazingly enough, and despite His omnipotence, He leaves this to the efforts of a pastor. When in the future our youth no longer hear anything about this Christianity, whose doctrine is far below our own, Christianity will automatically disappear."
Martin Bormann...
June 30, 2008

6:31 p.m.

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Hazardous_T writes:

The funny thing about ignorance is, I would bet a weeks pay you had no idea you sounded just like a Nazi...

Home › Opinion › Letters to the Editor

PrideFest coverage weak, disappointing

Michelle Gebhart, Denver

Published June 28, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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