What have you done today?

My first pride celebration experience was back in Atlanta, Ga. in July, 2000. I was 23-years-old and just out of college. After working for more than a year on a series of paintings entitled "Going Home," I was selected as the only artist from the Carolinas to participate in the invitational pride exhibit "Hairdos and Tractor Pulls" at the Trinity Gallery. The exhibit featured 14 artists from Alabama, North Carolina (where I resided at the time) and Georgia and was a visual ommentary on our experiences of growing up gay and/or lesbian in the South. For me, the weekend was two-fold. It was my first professional artist exhibition in a large metropolitan area and it was my first weekend to experience gay pride on a huge scale with others from around the Southeast.

Pride is an interesting thing in the gay community, embraced by many and seen as a misnomer by others. Outside of our community it is often attacked as a vile event that flaunts our so-called "gayness" - a way to force our "lifestyle" on the rest of the world.

Here in Myrtle Beach, we know this feeling all too well. Back in 1998, plans for South Carolina Gay Pride were attacked by then-Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride and the Burroughs & Chapin, Co. cancelled a Village People concert scheduled at Broadway at the Beach. McBride is currently running for U.S. Senate. The event successfully went on however, drawing an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people to the Grand Strand for the ninth annual event put on by the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement (SCGLPM). Due to the controversy, which attracted attention from national human rights organizations and news media, S.C. Pride 1998 also attracted speakers Candice Gingrich, sister of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Betty DeGeneres, mother of comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Many gay leaders depicted the issues that arose in Myrtle Beach as keeping in step with a legacy of Southern hate. South Carolina has, in general, long been a hotbed of controversy when it comes to prejudice and things that attack the inherited culture. Remember that first shot of the Civil War?

Even in our own community, many believe that Pride events don't serve the historical or political significance that they did when the tradition began after the Stonewall Rebellion of 1969. Pride is in fact supposed to be a way to remember that night, June 27, when the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City was raided. The raid was one of many and on that fateful evening, the patrons finally fought back spurring the Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movement. In the years since, Pride has evolved. Many cities don't hold their Pride celebrations in June anymore and many feel that the celebrations are more for partying and less about political action.

To me, Pride is and always has been about celebration and self-value. Our political movement toward full equality has changed in today's society. It's debatable whether or not we still need, as many say, a gay Martin Luther King, Jr.-type figure to lead us into full acceptance. Either way, Pride makes us visible. It shows that we are an important part of the community and that there's nothing that we should feel shameful about.

This week, The Center Project announced that once again the Myrtle Beach area will have that experience. TCP is currently planning Myrtle Beach Gay Pride 2008 with the theme "Sun, Surf & Pride", which will take place July 11-12. Many events are being planned including a Mr. and Miss Pride Pageant, an afternoon marketplace with national and local vendors, and an evening celebration at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot. So let's remember what Pride is really about as Myrtle Beach gets a second chance to feel proud about its gay community. Let's remember those brave souls at the Stonewall Inn and those who stood by S.C. Pride here in 1998. Let's celebrate our own lives in a way that helped make possible - openly, honestly and proudly. To quote the 2000 hit song "Proud" by Heather Smalls - "We need a change, so do it today 'cause I can see a clear horizon. What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

OUT & ABOUT

Today through April 27 - Art in April at TCP. The Center Project is hosting its inaugural art show during the month of featuring artists Anton Knoll, Michael Morrison, Robert Luke and Veronica Walters. There will be an artist reception at 7 p.m. on April 11. There will be refreshments and a meet-and-greet with these local LGBT artists. The artwork will be on display and for sale throughout the month at TCP, located at 307 Highway 15 in Myrtle Beach. For more information call 626-4953 or visit www.thecenterproject.com

Saturday, April 5 - T-Time, the local Transgender discussion forum meets at 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month at The Center Project followed by a transgender film series. This month's selection is the Irish film, "Breakfast on Pluto," which tells the adventures of growing up transgender during the 1970s and stars Gillian Murphy and Liam Neeson. The film will start at 8 p.m. and will be followed by a short discussion. A small donation to TCP is suggested. For more information call 626-4953 or visit www.thecenterproject.com.

The Center Project is now open late. Starting this week, TCP will extend its hours to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and is seeking more volunteers to help with staffing. TCP opens at 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information call 626-4953.

Until next week, have fun and be safe.

-Chris Rudisill, Weekly Surge