by R.J. Beaumia
YPSILANTI – Cristy Cardinal had a long day at Washtenaw Pride. She was drenched from the last of three rainstorms happening within four hours. It seemed that every time she'd attempt to get up on the outdoor stage to start the show, nature would belch out another monsoon.
Cardinal and the equally magnificent Dan Burns were co-emcees at the last Saturday's Washtenaw Pride event. Held annually in Ypsilanti's Frog Island Park, the event is sponsored by the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project and is in its tenth year.
Despite the rain, which seemed to begin on cue at the event's 1 p.m. start time, and temperatures hovering around 90 degrees, WRAP coordinators estimated approximately 200 people had attended by the 7 p.m. closing.
"This event brings awareness to the community with marriage and other civil rights issues," said Justin Schmandt, member of the WRAP board of directors and Pride chairperson. "We want to show we're proud, we're out here, and this is what we believe Ð also that we have many allies out there."
"We'd like a bigger turnout every year," he added.
Jeremy Merklinger, president of WRAP, said Washtenaw Pride is slowly expanding from a picnic to a full-fledged event so that it more accurately reflects the diversity of what he says is a "fairly large community."
"I'd like to bring everyone together in Washtenaw county and let them know we're becoming a real community," Merklinger said.
WRAP has always been a vital resource of information for LGBT residents in Washtenaw County, as well a point of connection for those who, for various reasons, cannot participate in the community, as well as people dealing with AIDS and coming out and civil rights issues. This year's pride event was evidence of that.
But the organization continues to struggle with funding and manpower issues, according to Justin Schmandt. "Publicity was a bit of a difficulty [for Washtenaw Pride]," because of scarce resources, he said.
There are still those out there who, when they hear mention of pride events, roll their eyes or have the odd disparaging comment. Some see the events as unnecessary, others think they further stigmatize the community, and still others think theyÕre just plain silly.
But listen to community activist Jim Toy and you'll find those characterizations uninformed and even a little dangerous. Toy has been at the forefront of the struggle for LGBT rights for over 30 years. A founding member of WRAP and a current board member, he thinks pride events are a nexus of bonding and disseminating important information to the community.
"I think that these events are particularly relevant now more than ever," Toy said. "The separation of church and state seems to be under attack. In particular, legislators at the state level supporting our concerns are opposed in large part by members of the electorate who cite religious belief as the foundation of their position. Civil and human liberties need to be free of assault on the basis of religious belief," he said.
According to Tom Cooley, an event attendee who lives in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Pride also functions as place for all ages of LGBT people to gather and learn from each other. "It's relevant for the newer generations to mix with the other generations," he said. "They don't know how hard it was to get one of these things going 20 years ago."
Cardinal spoke to the crowd and stressed the importance of Washtenaw Pride as part of the struggle for LGBT rights. "Building community is the only way we're going to win this war," she said.
