Into the Pines Kitchen contains 200 recipes from 100 contributors, including Pines notables Scott Bromley, Gilbert Parker, and Hal Rubinstein. As a nod to bygone days, the book also features a posthumous contribution from John Whyte, one of the Pines' founders. The book includes original photography of the island from Pines artists William Karam, Mark Lonsbury, and Barbara Sahlman. •More About this Book»
"Drag Queens Can Cook-Recipes to Sync Your Lips Around" is a new cookbook, being sold for a tax deductible $25, created by doctors and life partners Rick Byrd, PhD, and Patrick Fratellone, MD, as a benefit for the Elmer A. Lindsay Memorial Medical Center, the Cherry Grove Doctor's Fund. •Read More»
Long Island Pride
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June 14, 2009 -
Walking along the entryway to Long Island's 19th annual Pride Festival, in Heckscher Park, on June 14, with rainbow flags streaming down embracing you as the wind gently kisses each color-invigorating fabric with life, and treading the path lined with photos of Prides past, the walker found that invigoration infusing into him or her. As the visual catalog of history ended, the path split, taking one to a variety of food vendors on the left, or to the stage on the right, and further still, a multitude of community organizations, vendors and this year's children's area.
When the groups first assembled just off the parade route, the air was charged with anticipation, as marching assignments were given, and the groups obliged by relocating. Last minute decorative applications to floats and vehicles were made, with rainbow balloons, assorted hues of crinoline, streams of ribbon and such, applied by any and all individuals willing to assist; and in such times of need, all were willing. Dancers converged in full regalia, as handsome shirtless honeys applied oil to skin to assist in better visualization of important muscle groups, and then, with the blow of a whistle, the words were spoken through the microphone, starting the parade on its journey down Main Street in Huntington to the Park .
Over 30 groups, encompassing youth groups, gay law enforcement, religious and community organizations, as well as local clubs and businesses, marched in the parade. Hundreds of people walked the route, some throwing beads, others throwing candy, to those on the sidelines. Signs were held high and proud by others, chanting "Equality," in matters of marriage and family. This year's parade, while having its share of drag and glitz, was notably more family-oriented, which served to attract a larger crowd. Gay couples and their children lined the streets, as did straight couples and their children, and teenagers stood side by side with those in their golden years, simply to share the experience.
With each passing year, the groups marching seem to grow, as do the number of spectators along the route and in the park. I sat on the Marriage Equality Float, designed by the Bunkhouse, in Sayville, while Miss Long Island, known to all as Josie Meow, stood in silent elegance, waving to the crowd. It was Randy, from WBLI radio, who went for the laughs. Donning the garb of a minister to complete the nuptial theme, he worked the crowd with blessings and danced to the beat of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" and to "Going to the Chapel." Simultaneously, the Bunkhouse's Eileen Shapiro, white boa in hand obeyed the rhythmic pulses and shook her wares, demanding that Colin Chisholm, dressed in his dapper white suit, rise to the occasion, not be outdone.
As we made our way along the parade route, I saw children on the sides of the road, smiling, waving rainbow flags, draped in beads, and conveying their acceptance-no need for hidden animosity, purely living in the moment, accepting kindness with kindness, waving to those waving back. Happier still were their parents, some even holding signs demanding Family Equality. Although I'm a pessimist by nature, I suddenly saw hope, a feeling needing to be savored, because, while this was but a microcosm, we were far more accepted then in our earlier struggles for gay rights. I took in all the smiles, waves, and open expression of affection, felt the warmth and smiled back. Upon entering the park, I saw a new generation of our GLBT community tread the rainbow path, viewing the photos as the colored hues infused them with vigor and pride, and saw the future; acceptance, the understanding that a right to love is a human right, not merely a civil right, and knowing that they would be taking up our torches. This new generation would have to know our past, our personal experiences and our hardships, so I tread the path once more and told my story, the story of a twin, youngest of eight siblings in a Catholic family, whose twin was also gay, and what we had experienced in our life. The teenage trio just ahead, Erica, Amanda and Stephen, listened with interest, not with mere politeness, as I explained that life was but a series of moments and that this was our moment, this was our Pride, and that their moments would soon add to the collective.
Hosting this years' festivities was our very own Ariel Sinclair and the Grand Marshals in total were five: Bill Hahn from Aunty M's Helping Hands; Outlook Magazine of Long Island; Long Island Community Fellowship (LICF), Juli Owens, who chairs the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition; and, posthumously Rosie Sanchez (in perpetuum).
Special mention must be given to Sandy Faison, the Executive Director of the Long Island Pride Parade, as she and her group work all year to ensure that a worthwhile Pride can be experienced by all; as well to Jim Pizzo and Sharon Gillen of Way Out Media, videotape LGBT events for viewing on Public Access.
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