Virginian Pilot: Out in the Park Has New Home in Norfolk

Leave it to the Virginian Pilot to come up with a half ass headline about "Out in the Park's" move this year ti Norfolk's Town Point Park next Sunday. I tend to not read the Pilot with any degree of seriousness because quality, objective reporting is typically an unknown concept for Norfolk's only newspaper which is run more as a framework for running ad print that for any serious reporting of the news. In any event, the Pilot has a piece on next Sunday's event which I, the boyfriend and many others have helped underwrite. We are all praying for good weather and a great turn out. So far the Pilot coverage has not attracted any foul, wingnut commentary. Here are story highlights:
*
The region's annual Out in the Park event is on the move this year - from Chesapeake to Norfolk. The 23rd annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender culture will move on Sunday to Norfolk's Town Point Park from Chesapeake City Park, where it's been held the past five years. It previously was held at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach and Lakewood Park in Norfolk.
*
Last year the event attracted 8,000 people, based on estimates by Chesapeake park rangers. This year, organizers anticipate 10,000, Hermansen-Parker said, because of
the centrality of Town Point Park and increased publicity from fundraisers and other events. Also, he said, Norfolk's park is known for festivals, and downtown's parking garages provide more options than the Chesapeake location.
*
Hampton Roads Pride has raised about $70,000 - a record for the annual event - in sponsorships and in-kind donations to pay for security, entertainment and other expenses, board member Patrick Mullins said. Local businesses - such as Decorum Furniture, which donated $5,000 - have been a backbone of the event's financial support, Mullins said.
*
The event's lineup includes local and national acts such as Kempsville High graduate DJ Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite and Suzanne Westenhoefer, one of the first openly gay comedians to appear on television. Instead of the usual Pride Parade, there will be a Pride Boat Parade on the Elizabeth River. So far, 20 vessels plan to dock along the park's marina edge. Businesses and vendors in the gay community also will be on display.
*
City spokesman Bob Batcher said Norfolk is a vibrant community, and the Hampton Roads Pride festival is a good example of that diversity.