Revival of the Rainbow by Jim Lawson 
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, the official state organization for the LGBT community for nearly thirteen years, has received a fresh new infusion of talent and leadership with the election of a new board of directors this week! Christopher Kimes steps in as the new leader and president of the group this week. He is joined by Martina Dezarea and Jeff Crist, who will serve as vice presidents. Chris Bostic has been elected the new treasurer and Dan O'Neal becomes secretary. Scott King, David Epp, William Salyer, and Kelly Wills, all four, will serve as members at large. Enthusiasm and optimism are building within the community with the news of a newly elected executive board. The group has survived over the years through the hard work and dedication of a loyal handful, but is now reaching out for better community support and unity through an aggressive membership drive in 2009. Rainbow Pride is enthusiastically looking for new and former members, not only in the LGBT community, but also with our straight allies and friends. Membership costs is only $10 or $5 for students and persons with financial hardship. You can become a member today online and get a summary of member benefits by visiting the following link: http://www.pridewv.org/blog/membership/ These changes come at a crucial time, both nationally and statewide. Our country has elected a new and fair-minded president, but there is constant and powerful opposing forces to our march. It is time to unite as a community. It will take all available resources and talents to implement changes that recognize equality and protect the LGBT community in the future. Not only is this a call for you, the LGBT community, but we invite anyone who believes in the proclamation that "all men are created equal" to become a member and join us in the crusade to insure equal status for all men and women. The committee is looking for new and existing members to serve in the following subcommittees: - Fundraising - Pride celebration festivities - Technology - Pageantry - Community development and public awareness - Bylaw and policy evaluation If you are interested in lending your time and talents to any of these committees, simply contact any one of the board of directors for details or visit our site for updates and scheduled meeting times for each group. Speak Out reporter, Jim Lawson, spoke with members of the new board of directors this week about each of their own personal missions and expectations for the organization in 2009-2010. Their answers reflect a strong and united focus on membership and community outreach. Here are their statements in their own words: Christopher Kimes, President "Rainbow Pride of WV, Inc. has, over its thirteen year history, worked aggressively to propel the interests of the GLBT community. I am thrilled to have been elected as the new President for Rainbow Pride. This election has heralded a new focus and direction for the organization. The new board, as well as I have, has developed two main goals that we want to work towards this year. The first being to increase membership and allow everyone to feel they have a vested interest in the organization and, secondly, to begin to make Rainbow Pride of WV a true statewide organization. I personally feel very excited and thrilled to see all of the great things that shall occur with this new direction. I want everyone to know that I am always open for suggestions, questions, or concerns that any GLBT community member throughout the state may have. Together I know that we shall strengthen, not only this organization, but, all of the other GLBT organizations and bring about a positive change for the GLBT community in West Virginia." Martina Dezarea, Vice President "Rainbow Pride of WV has always held a special place in my heart ever since I won my first Miss Pride of WV title back in 2002. I am extremely excited to be elected vice president and to work with a board of new faces and ideas! Pride has now turned a corner as we continue to advance the needs of every gay and lesbian in West Virginia. Personally, it is one of my main priorities to see Rainbow Pride stretch to all areas of West Virginia, so that everyone can have a voice in this organization. I believe that this year shall be one of reuniting and decreasing the seeming split that has occurred within the gay community here in West Virginia. I have all confidence that together with this board the gay community we shall begin to see some positive changes occurring within Pride." Jeff Crist, Vice President "My personal goals for Pride this year are to expand the membership of the organization to include our straight allies. I think that by growing the organization in this way, Pride can begin to have a stronger voice in the community. I think that sometimes we forget that we have lots of open-minded, heterosexual friends in West Virginia who are eager to step up and voice their support for diversity and inclusion." Dan O'Neal, Secretary It’s my opinion that Rainbow Pride of West Virginia can be so much more than just Charleston’s biggest gay party planner. I look around at Pride organizations in other states, such as Stonewall Columbus, and am amazed by the range of services and activities they provide to GLBT individuals and allies in their communities. What I would like to do is use those groups as models as we look into areas into which we at Rainbow Pride could expand our focus. Clearly, we don’t have access to the resources that they do in bigger and more affluent parts of the country, but if we work hard enough and make fundraising a year-round operation, I believe it’s only a matter of time. The Mpowerment programs that Rainbow Pride now oversees, Ignition in Charleston, and Fusion in Huntington, are all wonderful first steps in this direction. The annual Pride Parade and Festival in June, and related events such as the Miss Pride Pageant, will remain our first priority, but they’re only the beginning of what we can accomplish. It won’t be easy, and it certainly won’t happen overnight, but I’m confident that it will happen.
Speak Out looks forward to hearing from the remaining members of the board in the near future. It is extremely visible from the words of these members that there has been many indept conversations on how to strengthen support within the community and how to reach beyond that community for strength during our quest for equality. Rainbow Pride of West Virginia wants to unite the counties and cities within the state to form an unbreakable band of courage and a rainbow of talents and skills that shines brightly and boldly over the entire state. That is what defines a rainbow--the display and unity of diverse individual colors. Help us revive the rainbow in 2009! Upcoming Event: Join Rainbow Pride, friends, and family of the LGBT community on October 11, 2009 for the Fall Picnic at Coonskin Park from noon til dusk. The event is free, but donations are accepted. Hamburgers/hot dogs and the fixings are provided. There will be live entertainment throughout the day (specifics on that are still to come). *There are private sponsorships available for $40 dollars which gives you up close parking and two Rainbow Pride of WV t shirts. If you are interested in sponsorships, contact: sking@pridewv.org by Jim Lawson
Revival of the Rainbow
by Jim Lawson
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, the official state organization for the LGBT community for nearly thirteen years, has received a fresh new infusion of talent and leadership with the election of a new board of directors this week!
Christopher Kimes steps in as the new leader and president of the group this week. He is joined by Martina Dezarea and Jeff Crist, who will serve as vice presidents. Chris Bostic has been elected the new treasurer and Dan O'Neal becomes secretary. Scott King, David Epp, William Salyer, and Kelly Wills, all four, will serve as members at large. Enthusiasm and optimism are building within the community with the news of a newly elected executive board.
The group has survived over the years through the hard work and dedication of a loyal handful, but is now reaching out for better community support and unity through an aggressive membership drive in 2009. Rainbow Pride is enthusiastically looking for new and former members, not only in the LGBT community, but also with our straight allies and friends.
Membership costs is only $10 or $5 for students and persons with financial hardship. You can become a member today online and get a summary of member benefits by visiting the following link: http://www.pridewv.org/blog/membership/
These changes come at a crucial time, both nationally and statewide. Our country has elected a new and fair-minded president, but there is constant and powerful opposing forces to our march. It is time to unite as a community. It will take all available resources and talents to implement changes that recognize equality and protect the LGBT community in the future.
Not only is this a call for you, the LGBT community, but we invite anyone who believes in the proclamation that "all men are created equal" to become a member and join us in the crusade to insure equal status for all men and women.
The committee is looking for new and existing members to serve in the following subcommittees:
- Fundraising
- Pride celebration festivities
- Technology
- Pageantry
- Community development and public awareness
- Bylaw and policy evaluation
If you are interested in lending your time and talents to any of these committees, simply contact any one of the board of directors for details or visit our site for updates and scheduled meeting times for each group.
Speak Out reporter, Jim Lawson, spoke with members of the new board of directors this week about each of their own personal missions and expectations for the organization in 2009-2010. Their answers reflect a strong and united focus on membership and community outreach. Here are their statements in their own words:
Christopher Kimes, President
"Rainbow Pride of WV, Inc. has, over its thirteen year history, worked aggressively to propel the interests of the GLBT community. I am thrilled to have been elected as the new President for Rainbow Pride. This election has heralded a new focus and direction for the organization. The new board, as well as I have, has developed two main goals that we want to work towards this year. The first being to increase membership and allow everyone to feel they have a vested interest in the organization and, secondly, to begin to make Rainbow Pride of WV a true statewide organization. I personally feel very excited and thrilled to see all of the great things that shall occur with this new direction. I want everyone to know that I am always open for suggestions, questions, or concerns that any GLBT community member throughout the state may have. Together I know that we shall strengthen, not only this organization, but, all of the other GLBT organizations and bring about a positive change for the GLBT community in West Virginia."
Martina Dezarea, Vice President
"Rainbow Pride of WV has always held a special place in my heart ever since I won my first Miss Pride of WV title back in 2002. I am extremely excited to be elected vice president and to work with a board of new faces and ideas! Pride has now turned a corner as we continue to advance the needs of every gay and lesbian in West Virginia. Personally, it is one of my main priorities to see Rainbow Pride stretch to all areas of West Virginia, so that everyone can have a voice in this organization. I believe that this year shall be one of reuniting and decreasing the seeming split that has occurred within the gay community here in West Virginia. I have all confidence that together with this board the gay community we shall begin to see some positive changes occurring within Pride."
Jeff Crist, Vice President
"My personal goals for Pride this year are to expand the membership of the organization to include our straight allies. I think that by growing the organization in this way, Pride can begin to have a stronger voice in the community. I think that sometimes we forget that we have lots of open-minded, heterosexual friends in West Virginia who are eager to step up and voice their support for diversity and inclusion."
Dan O'Neal, Secretary
It’s my opinion that Rainbow Pride of West Virginia can be so much more than just Charleston’s biggest gay party planner. I look around at Pride organizations in other states, such as Stonewall Columbus, and am amazed by the range of services and activities they provide to GLBT individuals and allies in their communities. What I would like to do is use those groups as models as we look into areas into which we at Rainbow Pride could expand our focus. Clearly, we don’t have access to the resources that they do in bigger and more affluent parts of the country, but if we work hard enough and make fundraising a year-round operation, I believe it’s only a matter of time. The Mpowerment programs that Rainbow Pride now oversees, Ignition in Charleston, and Fusion in Huntington, are all wonderful first steps in this direction. The annual Pride Parade and Festival in June, and related events such as the Miss Pride Pageant, will remain our first priority, but they’re only the beginning of what we can accomplish. It won’t be easy, and it certainly won’t happen overnight, but I’m confident that it will happen.
Speak Out looks forward to hearing from the remaining members of the board in the near future. It is extremely visible from the words of these members that there has been many indept conversations on how to strengthen support within the community and how to reach beyond that community for strength during our quest for equality.
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia wants to unite the counties and cities within the state to form an unbreakable band of courage and a rainbow of talents and skills that shines brightly and boldly over the entire state. That is what defines a rainbow--the display and unity of diverse individual colors.
Help us revive the rainbow in 2009!
Upcoming Event:
Join Rainbow Pride, friends, and family of the LGBT community on October 11, 2009 for the Fall Picnic at Coonskin Park from noon til dusk.
The event is free, but donations are accepted.
Hamburgers/hot dogs and the fixings are provided.
There will be live entertainment throughout the day (specifics on that are still to come).
*There are private sponsorships available for $40 dollars which gives you up close parking and two Rainbow Pride of WV t shirts. If you are interested in sponsorships, contact: sking@pridewv.org
by Jim Lawson
bravenet.com