4/19/12
General Inquiries – info@okcpride.org
405-409-4185, Marketing & Public Relations
PO Box 12240 Oklahoma City, OK 73157
OKCPride.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OKC PRIDE FINALIZES EVENT AND ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
OKC Pride partnering with O.G.R.A., PFLAG, Cimarron Alliance, Church of the Open Arms, Expressions Church and other groups.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (April 17, 2012) – Proud. Strong. United. That’s the theme for this year’s OKC Pride Week celebration. It’s also the platform on which OKC Pride has organized its events to provide ten full days of activities for the community.
OKC Pride has partnerships with the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association (O.G.R.A), Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Norman (PFLAG of Norman), Cimarron Alliance, and Church of the Open Arms. Each organization will play a role in one or more of the activities available during Pride Week, which is officially May 18-27.
“We believe in strength through unity. We realize OKC Pride has several like-minded organizations right here in the metro. While the specific mission from group to group may vary somewhat, the ultimate goal of providing service to the LGBT community is true for all of our partner organizations involved in Pride Week,” says OKC Pride board member Matt Harney.
The OKC Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, May 19th from 11am to 10pm in downtown OKC’s Film Exchange District (a.k.a. Film Row). Film Row is located between Dewey and Shartel on Sheridan and is just two blocks west of the new Devon Tower.
Festival co-chair Jeremy Crites says, “The Pride Festival is moving to downtown Oklahoma City to increase our visibility. 25 years ago, we were fighting for the right to gather on our own turf without harassment or police raids. This year, we’ll be in the heart of the city because, as American citizens, we deserve and demand full equality everywhere and in every way. We hope that having a downtown venue in addition to our traditional parade venue on the Strip will draw a broader audience and let us better fulfill our mission of raising awareness – for both the gay and straight community.”
The family-friendly Festival will feature a variety of local musicians and entertainers throughout the day. OKC Pride volunteer & entertainment organizer Patsy Gillispie states, “Our goal was to recruit bands strategically so we could offer a little something for everyone. We achieved that goal, hands down.” An entire entertainment line-up is finalized and is available at OKCPride.org.
Festival-goers can browse the informational exhibits of non-profit groups for information and resources as well as to purchase an assortment of food, beverages, and merchandise. Pride officials are encouraging everyone to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the entertainment. As with any major event, no ice chests or large stowing devices will be allowed.
The Parade will be on Sunday, May 20th with lineup at 4pm, judging at 5pm, and step-off at 6pm. Like last year, the parade route begins at NW 36th & Classen Boulevard, goes north to NW 39th then west past Pennsylvania Avenue to Barnes.
This year – to recognize and celebrate the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – OKC Pride is inviting current LGBT service members to march in the Parade and be recognized collectively as the Parade Grand Marshal. Those interested can sign up at OKCPride.org.
On Friday, May 18, at 8:30 pm OKC Pride will officially kick off Pride Week 2012 with an outdoor movie on Film Row (parking lot at 614 W. Sheridan Ave. Producer/director Tim Wolff will be presenting his documentary “The Sons of Tennessee Williams”, which gives a visually rich depiction of the all-gay Mardi Gras krewes of New Orleans and their extravagant costumed balls with plenty of humor to keep the audience laughing. With refined Southern charm, these early gay activists defied the norm and fought against police stings and persecution many years prior to New York’s Stonewall riot. Special guest will also be Albert Carey, one of the original activists from the early days of the gay movement in New Orleans.
2012 Pride Week Events
Thursday, May 17
Eat a burger at any S&B Burger Joint. 10% of all total-day sales benefit OKC Pride.
7:30 pm, OKC Museum of Art. Screening of LGBT film “Wish Me Away”
Friday, May 18
Outdoor Movie on Film Row: The Sons of Tennessee Williams at 8:30 pm in the parking lot at 614 W. Sheridan Ave. in downtown OKC. Presented by producer/director Tim Wolff and special guest Albert Carey. Check OKCPride.org for additional info.
Saturday, May 19
Festival, 11am-10pm on Film Row in downtown OKC. (Sheridan and Lee)
Other Options Fashion Show – 7pm-9pm ; $50 admission
Sunday, May 20Parade, 6pm step-off, traditional route. Grandstand near 39th & Penn.
Monday, May 21
Wear Purple Day – Bring awareness to the bullying of youth.
Tuesday, May 22
Expressions Church – “Family Drive-Inn Movie Night” – ‘Grease’ Sing A Long, 8:30 pm
Wednesday, May 23
PFLAG of Norman/Church of the Open Arms/Cimarron Alliance Film Night – A free viewing of Fish Can’t Fly at Church of the Open Arms. 7pm. Free light snacks.
Thursday, May 24
“Turning Drag on its Wig” presented by Cimarron Alliance. – A night of the most unlikely drag queens you never thought you’d see. Check OKCPride.org for detailed event information.
Friday, May 25
Various club events on The Strip & “Wear Pink Day” – From the original rainbow flag; “Remembering where it all began; a symbol of gay pride”
Saturday, May 26
Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
Sunday, May 27
Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
OKC Pride’s recent website makeover makes an abundance of Pride Week and organizational information easily accessible. Visit OKCPride.org for the latest updates on Pride Week and to learn how to get involved.
OKC Pride, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to provide leadership to meet the needs of the LGBT community in central Oklahoma through awareness, health, and educational services.
OKC Pride could not put on an event with out our wonderful sponsors: Coors Light, Miller Lite, Tecate, Boulevard Brewing Company, Anheuser Busch, Renaissance Hotel, Dell, Bob Lemon, OKCEstateSales.com, Josh Powell, Access to Counseling Services, Cricket Communications, Sprint, Advance America Cash Advance, Film Row, and Joey’s Pizzeria
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