HUDSON CURRENT
August 23, 2001

Gay pride: Jersey City hosts first annual Gay Pride Festival

Don't be surprised if you hear the chant, "We're here! We're queer," reverberating through Jersey City on Saturday afternoon. The city is hosting its annual Gay Pride Festival from 3 to 8 p.m. at Exchange Place.

Organized by Jersey City Lesbian & Gay Outreach, the festival is entitled "Strength Through Visibility" and will celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

There have been a lot of organizations who have tried at varying times to create a Hudson County, Jersey City, Hoboken gay and lesbian community," said Michele Dupey, a volunteer for the Jersey City Lesbian & Gay Outreach organization. "Part of the problem is that we live so close to New York City, so it's hard to get a local community going. But with this new group, I really think they're going to be able to pull it off. The timing is right. I noticed a change since the March on Washington in 1993. People want a more local sense of community, not the bright lights of New York City."

The acclaimed New York City-based Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Band will kick off the ceremony with a march to begin the proceedings. Comedian and drag performer Harmonica Sunbeam will serve as Master of Ceremonies and DJ Mike Cruz will provide the disco sounds.

Also on hand will be keynote speakers Jon and Michael Galluccio, co-authors of An American Family. The couple will discuss their journey - which included a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court - to obtain legal status as adoptive parents in New Jersey. They were the lead plaintiffs in a class action suit against the state. Thanks to their plight, New Jersey was the first state to allow a gay couple to adopt jointly.

Michael Bisogno, a victim of hate crime violence, and Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham will also deliver orations.

Also performing will be the award-winning female impersonator Liritza Dumont (see p. 5); the folk rock singer songwriter Sharon Allitt; the Swiss-born, American-made funk jazz musician Beat; and Miss Gay New Jersey 2001, Tony Mona, who will perform a wicked version of Wynonna - Wynonna Judd, that is.

The flag raising that was scheduled for August 23 at 6 p.m. is cancelled because of scheduling conflicts with the mayor's office.

For more information about the festival call 333-5725 or e-mail jerseylg@aol.com.