Petrelis Files

SF Pride + Manning Queeruption: Google Group Forms

A genuinely terrific debate continues online in week-three of the SF Pride debacle over their rescinding of a Grand Marshal slot to accused WikiLeaks whisteblower and gay soldier Bradley Manning.

One location where it's happening at this Google Group titled Real Pride, Real Issues. Movement veteran and political artist, who's also a good friend of mine, Clinton Fein, set up the group and it's a lively gaggle of gays and straight allies making it jump.

For the time being, membership is open to all in an effort to be more transparent than the SF Pride board of directors and staffers. We are showing there is a way of pushing an LGBT agenda for social justice activists at Pride and beyond in San Francisco. Sure, there are a few folks overly sensitive to constructive criticism and that is to be expected in a diverse queer ad hoc coalition, but over all the spirit of cooperation keeps the group delivering accountability and direct actions.

A reminder that San Francisco's annual event for IDAHO, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, of course takes place on May 17 and this year Gays w/o Borders has proudly partnered with the Bradley Manning Support Network of activists.  We're gathering this Friday from 6 to 7 PM at Harvey Milk Plaza to send a message to SF Pride and the world: Bradley Manning = Grand Marshal.

Please join us!