ZanortePride at Chicago's Gay Pride Parade 2008

Snaps from Sunday's Chicago Pride Parade with Zanortepride members and friends. Neither rain nor sun could stop the huge crowd who came to witness one of the nation's largest gatherings of its kind.

The Philippine contingent wowed the audience with their award-winning float and dance.

Read the related post by Ted Regencia.

Go here to view the FLICKR photo set by Joem Bayawa

Filipino contingent shines at the Chicago Gay Pride Parade

Chicago, IL -- For the first time in the 39-year history of the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, a contingent of Filipinos joined in the festivities Sunday, June 29, capping their trailblazing participation with a victory in the Best Organization Float category.

An estimated 450,000 people -- 25,000 more than last year, according to reports -- gave the Filipino and Friends in Chicago (FINC) and other parade participants a wild and frenzied welcome. FINC is an organization of young Filipino professionals in the Windy City.

"We really want to highlight the rich and colorful culture of the Philippines, and make known to the world that as Filipinos, we are proud to be a part of the Chicago community," Oliver Cutamora, a founding member said.

FINC's street performance, a fusion of native Filipino dances and modern rhythms, conceptualized by professional choreographers Mike Vallente and Chip Payos, sent the crowd into loud cheers.

Read the full article at Ted Regencia Reports

Origins of the Rainbow Flag

The rainbow flag made its debut in 1978 at San Francisco's Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade, having been created in response to a request for a symbol to represent the LGBT community. That job fell to vexillographer Gilbert Baker who, acting in the role of Betsy Ross, designed the first rainbow flag, and with a group of volunteers stitched it from hand-dyed fabric. The original flag had eight colors, two more than its customary version, each representing an aspect of gay life: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, blue for harmony, and violet for spirit. Eliminated for logistical reasons, the two colors no longer present are hot pink and turquoise, perhaps early proof of gaydar in forecasting 1980's color trends for such things as Miami Vice and high school proms. Ironically, or perhaps prophetically, these colors represent sexuality and magic respectively — two vital elements increasingly missing from many of today's Pride parades.

Read the full article by Andrew Blauvelt @ Design Observer

Image: Wikimedia

ZanortePride to join Chicago Pride Parade

Members and supporters of ZanortePride Chicago Chapter will be attending the 39th Annual Pride parade on Sunday, June 29. Here's a short backgrounder:

The Chicago Pride Parade, also colloquially called the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, is the annual gay pride parade held on the last Sunday of June in Chicago, Illinois in the United States. It is considered the culmination of the larger Gay Pride Month, as promulgated by the Chicago City Council and Mayor of Chicago.

The first parade was organized in 1969 upon the establishment of Boystown, Chicago, the nation's first government-recognized gay village. The parade takes place through the main streets of Lake View East, a neighborhood enclave of the Lakeview community area. Recent parades have started at noon on Halsted Street, proceeding north from Belmont Avenue, passing the Center on Halsted at Waveland; south on Broadway Avenue (at Grace) to Diversey Avenue and east on Diversey Avenue to Cannon Drive. [Learn more]

World View: ‘Gay is OK’ in Afghanistan

When American and British marines started returning from the war in Afghanistan in early 2002, they brought along with them curious stories about Afghanistan’s peasants who put on make-up and consistently followed them around or even sexually abused them. This was a very shocking experience for the soldiers.

- They were more terrifying than the al-Qaeda. One bloke who had painted toenails was offering to paint ours. They go about hand in hand, mincing around the village – a terrified marine, James Fletcher, told the Scotsman upon returning from Afghanistan.

- We were pretty shocked. We discovered from the Afghan soldiers we had with us that a lot of men in this country have the same philosophy as ancient Greeks: ‘a woman for babies, a man for pleasure’ – Fletcher continued recounting his experience.

Read the full article on Javno

[Salamat to L for the link. Abi mo lang!]

ZaNortePride Chicago celebrates Dalit '08

ZaNortepride Chicago met on Wednesday, June 4 to celebrate the success of Dalit '08, the ZaNorte LGBT community's presentation at this year's Hudyaka festival in Dipolog City. Additional funds were raised at this dinner to support its sister organization back home. (Note: cool new rainbow ties courtesy of President Manuelle Dean. Level 911 cute waiter not included;)

Dalit '08 A Rousing Success

ZanortePride's first ever public presentation wowed the audience Friday night. Dalit '08 received standing ovation from Gov. Rolando Yebes and the rest of the huge crowd assembled at the Hudyaka festival grounds in Dipolog City.

Choreographed by Ede Franco E. Buslon, the show highlighted the province's history through song and dance numbers performed by members of the LGBT community and guest dancers.

In remarks after the show, Zanortepride officers led by President Ritche Dagumo expressed their gratitude to all participants, parents and all those who volunteered their valuable talents, time and effort for the succcess of Dalit '08.

Video by Chenbenlim. Additional video on the way.

ZanortePride.com picked as one of the "Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008"

In the midst of frenzied preparations for tonight's Dalit '08 came the exciting news that this blog, ZanortePride.com was chosen as one of the "Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008" by the venerable "Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?" site of A.J. Matela.

He noted that "It is very heartwarming to see that through the Internet, many gay men have found a place to express themselves and be free from discrimination. What is fascinating about this blog is that it brings together gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and the transgendered from their province...."

Salamat po! We are truly honored and humbled.

LINK

The Making of Dalit 2008

Intro video for Dalit'08, the ZaNorte LGBT community presentation at Hudyaka 2008 on June 4 in Dipolog City. This will be screened before the show. It is also a final appeal for financial support for the project.