At lunchtime today I went to the annual UMass Gaypril Queerfest. I just sort of walked through taking pictures, but my impression was that it was gay in a cheerful way and queerly odd. In other words, it was just what it should have been.
The university radio station was broadcasting live from the Queerfest.
I don't like the concept of "identity rallies" whatever identity they're celebrating, whether it be ethnic, racial or sexual. I think they encourage more separatness than unity and help to reinforce stereotypes. But on the other hand, it's hard to disapprove too grumpily when people are having a good time, and that defintitely seemed to be the case at the UMass Queerfest. I laughed when I saw this colorful mixture of the gay pride rainbow and the American flag. It wasn't clear who put on this display of patriotism, but perhaps it was the conservative gay rights group, The Log Cabin Republicans.
In any case, the event seemed to draw a pretty good crowd, with too many people in attendance to have just attracted gays.
If they really want to attract a big crowd, what the organizers of next year's Gaypril Queerfest should do is give away a lot of free food. For a free burger even the most homophobic frat boy will conquor his fears.
8 comments:
it looked fun.. had class tho
I thought that this post was really good, I did not go to this but I walked by it going to class wanting to know what it was but I am glad you wrote about it to let people like me know what was going on. The video was a little weird though, I have to say haha.
I went with one of my friends to this after class. We got some cotton candy . I'm glad you posted about this so people can know whats going on at Umass because I'm sure a lot of people walked by and didn't know what it was.
i'm glad that you posted about this because i had no idea that it was even going on, i really thought the pictures helped to show what you were talking about and the video was sort of funny.
Whether "identity rallies" are good or bad, the truth of the matter is that in this case the turnout shows every queer and their friend must have attended, right? And even if the only thing they take away from the event is cotton candy or a personalized button, it's something! Thanks for the post.
I walked past this event and had no idea what was going on, but I knew that I wanted to play on that slide! Once I finally walked through, I really wish I had more time to hang out and make a shirt and all! I am straight, and I thought the event was a great idea to create positiveness around "non- straight" sexuality.
I walked by it and it was mesmorizing. I like bright colors so I basically had a field day. For some reason I didn't stop though...now that I think about it, I really should have.
Thank you for the post. It seemed like lots of fun. I had no idea that it took place in Umass. The pictures were cool to look at.
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