Written by Gavin McGuren. Photos by Nigel Etherington.
Monday, 29 October 2007
Saturday night must have been the coldest and most miserable in Pride history, with the exception of the first XES party back in 1995, when the temperature was close to zero and your breath was frosty even in the middle of the dance floor. With icy squalls on and off all day, the parade was very lucky to escape with little more than a light shower.
The impact of the cold snap on the crowd lining the streets was pretty tragic, and it was probably the smallest turnout since the early Nineties. To be honest I was tempted to stay home in front of the fire with a glass of red myself. Although it looked like some entries had been depleted by the weather, with just a handful of Prime Timers and teachers out, the parade was pretty robust overall, with plenty of floats and, not surprisingly given the timing, lots of party politics.
The best float by a country mile was from the Perth Bears, who totally broke with tradition and went with a white polar theme. It was cute, funny and well thought out, so full points for effort. And the rest… well there was the hilariously witty Ben Cousins float, the Kevin Rudd gay marriage float, and the appropriately ironic fond farewell to Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass float, just to name a few. Didn’t see them? That’s because I made them up whilst daydreaming about a Perth Pride Parade that exists in a parallel universe somewhere. I’m not sure what the sex workers were doing flashing their bits in our parade. Should they have been there? Over to you.
After the parade I had a chat to the new Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, on the verandah at Rise and thanked her for being the first Lord Mayor to ever attend a Pride Parade. She assured me that she enjoyed it and it wouldn’t be her last. Everything else she said was off the record, but I think Perth will be a lot more fun, modern and forward looking in her care.
One of the most enjoyable things about Pride night is seeing so many People of Acronyms out on the streets after the parade, dressed up and having a gay old time. It makes me wish the streets could be like that all the time. Because so many regulars stayed away this year, the Acronymers were even more obvious, especially the younger generation. I had a bit of a laugh to myself as I watched two young guys holding hands and skipping unharassed through the park on the corner of Lake Street, something they probably wouldn’t dare to do on any other night of the year. Whenever I question the on-going relevance of the parade, little moments like that remind me that it still serves an important purpose.
Wandered down to the Court with the vague idea of having a drink there before catching the Pride bus to the party. One look at the queue and the heritage walls bursting at the seams was enough to knock that idea on the head. Going off, it was. Grabbed a cab and headed straight for the party, and needless to say we were among the first arrivals. Oh well, it’s always fun to watch the crowd build and the first people take to the dance floor.
Not surprisingly it was rather cold at Belmont Park, which is a very large venue. To be sure, it was a rather different space than we’re used to for Pride parties. Some years ago, when I was on the party sub-committee, we looked at Belmont Park and decided against it because of the low ceilings. Part of the excitement at Pride used to be having a fabulous lighting rig and punctuating the night with big, awe-inspiring shows. Things have changed, however, and rising insurance costs since September 11 have put warehouse parties out of Pride’s reach, even assuming warehouses are available and well located. The compromise was obviously to have a dance floor downstairs and a dedicated showroom upstairs. Nothing wrong with that, in theory.
There was a sense of déjà vu in the upstairs cabaret room – from the stage set-up to the huge circular tables and a bar on the corner, it was like walking into Club West at the Italian Club. In fact it was Club West, just not at the Italian Club. Unfortunately what may work for the Club West regulars at the Italian Club won’t necessarily work for dedicated dance party punters at Pride. People barely used the large tables, while the lighting was too bright and the stage too far away from the seating to create an intimate cabaret feel.
Downstairs it took quite a while longer than usual to get people onto the dance floor, largely I suspect because it was bloody freezing on the side closest to the entrance, so everyone was huddling for warmth on the other side. Tim, the reliable lighting stalwart, had done his best with the budget and the infrastructure to get some atmosphere happening, but it was a tall order with those low ceilings. And then there was the music, that perennial bugbear of gay dance parties.
Look, Lisa Loud and Kelly Lynch are both great DJs for the right crowd in the right place, but a diet of hard, dark electro is not going to get those hands in the air at Pride. There is a formula that works perfectly every time if you stick to it: give them some pretty music, some divas, some classics, plenty of whopping big trance, take it down and dirty for the wee hours and then bring it up again for a big happy finish. It works, I promise. And believe me, if the punters aren’t screaming “woohoo” and throwing their hands in the air by midnight, you’ve made a mistake. We’ve had this debate over and over.
People don’t come to the Pride Party to have their musical boundaries expanded, they come to have fun and feel a sense of joy. However great and clever some of the music at the party may have been, there wasn't much joy in it. I understand the intent in bringing someone like Lisa Loud in, but we know from experience that names are pretty irrelevant where Perth gay crowds are concerned. They don’t much care who you are, as long as you deliver the right goods. We have some great local DJs and there are also plenty of proven performers interstate.
Sooo… left around 4am and grabbed a lift into Northbridge. Bypassing Connections, which seemed to be pretty happening, I wandered up to the Bakery to see whether the Lick party was still going. Ran into a few Prominent Lesbian Identities who were also making their way there, but unfortunately things were winding up after a very successful night. After a quick catch up on the goss it was time to go. Passing up on assorted recoveries, I went home to bed, where it was nice and warm at last.
You can view Nigel's photos from the Pride Parade and the afterparties at The Court, Lick, Connections and the Pride Party now in GAYinWA Photos.
Check out our video from this year's Parade:
Comments (4)
WOW written by Sarge, October 29, 2007 - 6:41:28 pm CDT
We stopped going to Pride parties two years ago - we were sick of drag queens, anthems & handbag music. We went this year because every one had been asking for a return to a warehouse party and good music. We were not dissapointed - the music was some of the best we have heard anywhere in europe or the eastern states. We walked out of the party at 7am - WOW - what a night. Gavin - I think you've grown old!! BTW we're 41 & 49. Pride well done - you won us back
Whaaat. written by Tim D, November 06, 2007 - 12:30:47 pm CST
Hi Gav,
Not sure which Pride Party at Belmont you went to, but everyone I know that went had a superb time!! Sure, upstairs was a little dodgy, but downstairs was pumping until finish.
Considering past parties, this was totally awesome - It was our "Okay, if this one sucks we'll never go to a pride event everrrrrrrr" event (especially after that awful quiz night a few months back), and it definitely restored our faith in Pride. The height of the ceiling does not make the event!
Can't please everyone written by Jamie , November 06, 2007 - 3:43:30 pm CST
You can't please everyone can you, as people will have different tastes. It's a shame the gay population here isn't big enough to allow for 3 or 4 different areas as there is at Sydney Mardi Gras. I haven't been to the last 2 Pride parties because I thought they were going downhill and the price didn't justify going into a normal nightclub. From the sounds of it this year's party was an improvement on previous years and if the price and venue are reasonable and they continue to run I'd consider going to next year's party.
Lovely Crowd written by Diesle1725, January 20, 2008 - 4:47:10 pm CST
It was my first time to see the crowd in Perth. I actually attended a party in The Court and I was amazed bu the turnout of people.. Honestly, I was never exposed to this kind of events. A mixed emotion- happy and frustrating.I've never been to a crowd of people like us, back home.. Frustrating because I wasnt able to meet people and have a chat of more than 5 mins. Everybody was busy and happy and I expected that to happen. I'd still go back and I'm looking forward to the next Pride. Im hopeful that my luck will change. Cheers.
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
The 2008 Pride Parade may have been among the smallest, and certainly
the fastest in Pride's 19 years, but it remains a relevant and
important event according to this year's convenor, Charles Denham.
Gay favourite Rachel Berger is among the headliners this year as the Wild West Comedy Fest returns
to Perth for 26 days of hilarity and hijinks. Other Australian comedy
stars on the bill include Bob Franklin, Tom Gleeson, Fiona O’Loughlin
and Scared Little Weird
Guys.
Rebuilding trust was the key to the success of this year's Pride events
according to festival convenor, Kieran Bycroft. While some events did
less well than expected, many attracted good crowds and some film and
theatre sessions were sold out.
African-American and Latino voters were a powerful force in electing Barack Obama and also in passing Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage. Exit polls
showed 70 percent of black voters, and a majority of Latino
voters, voted yes to the ban. More here.
Three US states ban marriage
Three US states passed amendments banning same-sex marriage in the historic vote that also saw the election of the nation's first black president. Voters in California, Arizona and Florida approved proposals to outlaw same-sex
marriage. More here (free registration retired)and here.
California's marriage war rages on
Having failed to save same-sex marriage, GLBT Californians are taking their fight to court. City attorneys from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Santa Clara will seek to invalidate Proposition 8 on the grounds that it conflicts with the equal
protection pillars of the state Constitution. More here, here, here and here.
Caught with their pants down in Malaysia
Malaysian police raided four gay "parties" on the weekend and arrested some 70 people after finding DVDs, gay magazines, lubricants and boxes of condom. A small reminder to be cautious in Malaysia and Singapore, where the aptly named Straits Times gleefully prints your photo. Details here.
Burning in hell on Earth
God Hates Fags! posters have become one of the symbols of the great divide in America. Now the son of
vile and crazy Rev Fred Phelps speaks out for the first time about the violent abuse he
suffered at the hands of his father. Read it here, along with
the response from his delightful sister, Shirley.
Circumcision HIV benefits in doubt
US analysis of data on 53,567 men who have sex with other men has
found that circumcision is ineffective in reducing HIV rates.
African trials have shown circumcision cuts the likelihood of male to female HIV transmission by up to 60 per cent. More here and here.
Only gay in the village proud but sad
Australian Olympic gold medalist, Matthew Mitcham, is proud but also sad to have been the only gay in the village at Beijing. The champion diver says his decision to come out before the games was a vital part of the gold medal performance that denied China a clean sweep. More here.
Lover cooked and served with herbs
A plague of gay cannibals threatens to overrun the planet, with the latest outbreak reported in Leeds, where a former Mr Gay UK is on trial for killing a former lover and attempting to eat part of his thigh. Anthony Morley, 36, is accused of murdering Damian Oldfield and cooking parts of his flesh. More here.
Big HIV rise among China's gay men
HIV infections have increased alarmingly among gay and bisexual men in parts of
China according to new data. There were an estimated 700,000 HIV/AIDS cases in China as of
October 2007, up 8 percent from 2006. Cases among gay and bisexual men jumped to 3.3 percent in 2007 from 0.4 percent in 2005. More here.
Dancing in a circle with your friends, it's quickly becoming the
perfect night out. However amid the fifth round of drinks and
renditions of I Kissed a Girl, you can't help but feel a rift over the
dance floor.
From the Pride theatre and film seasons through to the Great Gay &
Lesbian Debate, Parade and Party, I thoroughly enjoyed this year's
Pride Festival. View footage from the debate and Parade and read about my festival highlights and the challenges I think Pride faces next year.
In winning today’s Presidential election, Barack Obama has provided the
world with the opportunity for a new beginning and his country with the
opportunity to put the disastrous Bush years behind it.
For some time now it's been popular among members of Generation Y to
declare that something is "so gay" to indicate that it's dumb, silly,
bad, ugly, unattractive, geeky, embarrassing, gaudy or even just plain
dull. That’s so gay. That’s so gay.
That’s so gay. It's the dull that hurts the most.
While I may not be the first person to go out on a limb and declare
that Barack Obama will win this year's Presidential election, I may be
among the first to declare that Sarah Palin will win the Republican
nomination and challenge him in 2012. That is, if she hasn't
bankrupted the Republicans with her wardrobe expenses first.
The global financial meltdown and impending economic Armageddon may
have an unexpected upside. For the first time in half a generation,
there may finally be a pool of people with the time on their
hands necessary to build exciting Parade floats.
Love All will return in 2009, with organisers bringing the event
forward to February to take advantage of the guaranteed summer weather.
The 2008 Pride Parade may have been among the smallest, and certainly
the fastest in Pride's 19 years, but it remains a relevant and
important event according to this year's convenor, Charles Denham.
Gay favourite Rachel Berger is among the headliners this year as the Wild West Comedy Fest returns
to Perth for 26 days of hilarity and hijinks. Other Australian comedy
stars on the bill include Bob Franklin, Tom Gleeson, Fiona O’Loughlin
and Scared Little Weird
Guys.
Rebuilding trust was the key to the success of this year's Pride events
according to festival convenor, Kieran Bycroft. While some events did
less well than expected, many attracted good crowds and some film and
theatre sessions were sold out.
African-American and Latino voters were a powerful force in electing Barack Obama and also in passing Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage. Exit polls
showed 70 percent of black voters, and a majority of Latino
voters, voted yes to the ban. More 
Three US states passed amendments banning same-sex marriage in the historic vote that also saw the election of the nation's first black president. Voters in California, Arizona and Florida approved proposals to outlaw same-sex
marriage. More 
Having failed to save same-sex marriage, GLBT Californians are taking their fight to court. City attorneys from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Santa Clara will seek to invalidate Proposition 8 on the grounds that it conflicts with the equal
protection pillars of the state Constitution. More 
Malaysian police raided four gay "parties" on the weekend and arrested some 70 people after finding DVDs, gay magazines, lubricants and boxes of condom. A small reminder to be cautious in Malaysia and Singapore, where the aptly named Straits Times gleefully prints your photo. Details 
God Hates Fags! posters have become one of the symbols of the great divide in America. Now the son of
vile and crazy Rev Fred Phelps speaks out for the first time about the violent abuse he
suffered at the hands of his father. Read it 
US analysis of data on 53,567 men who have sex with other men has
found that circumcision is ineffective in reducing HIV rates.
African trials have shown circumcision cuts the likelihood of male to female HIV transmission by up to 60 per cent. More 
Australian Olympic gold medalist, Matthew Mitcham, is proud but also sad to have been the only gay in the village at Beijing. The champion diver says his decision to come out before the games was a vital part of the gold medal performance that denied China a clean sweep. More 
A plague of gay cannibals threatens to overrun the planet, with the latest outbreak reported in Leeds, where a former Mr Gay UK is on trial for killing a former lover and attempting to eat part of his thigh. Anthony Morley, 36, is accused of murdering Damian Oldfield and cooking parts of his flesh. More 
HIV infections have increased alarmingly among gay and bisexual men in parts of
China according to new data. There were an estimated 700,000 HIV/AIDS cases in China as of
October 2007, up 8 percent from 2006. Cases among gay and bisexual men jumped to 3.3 percent in 2007 from 0.4 percent in 2005. More 
Dancing in a circle with your friends, it's quickly becoming the
perfect night out. However amid the fifth round of drinks and
renditions of I Kissed a Girl, you can't help but feel a rift over the
dance floor.
From the Pride theatre and film seasons through to the Great Gay &
Lesbian Debate, Parade and Party, I thoroughly enjoyed this year's
Pride Festival. View footage from the debate and Parade and read about my festival highlights and the challenges I think Pride faces next year.
In winning today’s Presidential election, Barack Obama has provided the
world with the opportunity for a new beginning and his country with the
opportunity to put the disastrous Bush years behind it.
For some time now it's been popular among members of Generation Y to
declare that something is "so gay" to indicate that it's dumb, silly,
bad, ugly, unattractive, geeky, embarrassing, gaudy or even just plain
dull. That’s so gay. That’s so gay.
That’s so gay. It's the dull that hurts the most.
While I may not be the first person to go out on a limb and declare
that Barack Obama will win this year's Presidential election, I may be
among the first to declare that Sarah Palin will win the Republican
nomination and challenge him in 2012. That is, if she hasn't
bankrupted the Republicans with her wardrobe expenses first.
The global financial meltdown and impending economic Armageddon may
have an unexpected upside. For the first time in half a generation,
there may finally be a pool of people with the time on their
hands necessary to build exciting Parade floats.
written by Sarge, October 29, 2007 - 6:41:28 pm CDT
We stopped going to Pride parties two years ago - we were sick of drag queens, anthems & handbag music.
We went this year because every one had been asking for a return to a warehouse party and good music.
We were not dissapointed - the music was some of the best we have heard anywhere in europe or the eastern states. We walked out of the party at 7am - WOW - what a night.
Gavin - I think you've grown old!! BTW we're 41 & 49.
Pride well done - you won us back
written by Tim D, November 06, 2007 - 12:30:47 pm CST
Hi Gav,
Not sure which Pride Party at Belmont you went to, but everyone I know that went had a superb time!! Sure, upstairs was a little dodgy, but downstairs was pumping until finish.
Considering past parties, this was totally awesome - It was our "Okay, if this one sucks we'll never go to a pride event everrrrrrrr" event (especially after that awful quiz night a few months back), and it definitely restored our faith in Pride. The height of the ceiling does not make the event!
written by Jamie , November 06, 2007 - 3:43:30 pm CST
You can't please everyone can you, as people will have different tastes. It's a shame the gay population here isn't big enough to allow for 3 or 4 different areas as there is at Sydney Mardi Gras. I haven't been to the last 2 Pride parties because I thought they were going downhill and the price didn't justify going into a normal nightclub. From the sounds of it this year's party was an improvement on previous years and if the price and venue are reasonable and they continue to run I'd consider going to next year's party.
written by Diesle1725, January 20, 2008 - 4:47:10 pm CST
It was my first time to see the crowd in Perth. I actually attended a party in The Court and I was amazed bu the turnout of people.. Honestly, I was never exposed to this kind of events. A mixed emotion- happy and frustrating.I've never been to a crowd of people like us, back home.. Frustrating because I wasnt able to meet people and have a chat of more than 5 mins. Everybody was busy and happy and I expected that to happen. I'd still go back and I'm looking forward to the next Pride. Im hopeful that my luck will change. Cheers.