In our previous examination of Pride development culture, we took a look at InterPride, a global organization that provides help in development, planning and networking for Pride events and planners around the globe. In our second of the two-part series for the nationally recognized month of Pride, we’re exploring the United States Association of of Prides (USAP).
Somehow, there’s a touch of irony to the fact that InterPride was founded in the United States in 1982 and evolved into an international organization, which later led to the need for a more specific US-centric organization for Pride events, once again, here at home.
That brings us full circle to USAP, which was established in 2018. Their focus is to engage in activities to promote education and awareness of the personal and civil rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, with a lens on the specifics of the American experience.
“We are a relatively new organization, and we focus mainly on domestic Pride[s],” offers Matt Comer, a former Qnotes editor who worked with Charlotte Pride and now serves as the USAP Communications Chair. “We work with all 50 states, along with US territories.”
Another interesting point about USAP: even though it was designed to serve the United States, it was actually created in Canada. That just confirms the importance of the international meetings and how a group of 24 US citizens, members of InterPride, connected and networked in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) during the world conference held there in October, 2018.
USAP maintains a solid partnership with InterPride, although the necessity for the stateside organization is readily apparent with the current American political atmosphere, the growing need to combat opposition and continuing development of Pride events in small towns and rural areas.
Comer points to the challenges that Pride events face in a small town in the United States, and how they would be culturally very different from what a similar event would experience in a European country, confirming one of the many reasons a US specific group is needed.
With the growth of Pride celebrations in smaller towns and cities, the organization also offers scholarships for developing Prides that are lacking funds.
“We also provide the opportunity for networking, which is really essential,” Comer continues. “We’re now reaching smaller organizations that weren’t aware we were available. That’s the value of having this kind of a domestic organization.”
According to the organization’s website, USAP was created to connect the ever-growing community of Pride organizations in all 50 states and American territories.
The organization encourages LGBTQ+ groups and other organizations that produce Pride events to get involved if that is their main focus, or at least one of their primary focuses. That can include parades, rallies, festivals, arts and cultural events and other related activities.
From their website:
“Membership in [USAP] provides significant value, with opportunities to network, collaborate, share resources and learn with fellow Pride organizers. These opportunities are provided on a regional level through our four districts.”
Pride events in the Carolinas are part of the Southern District, which also includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, the Virgin Islands and Virginia.
With the United States divided into four different regions, the Central District covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Eastern District covers Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia; and the Western District includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, the North Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
As with all organizations and the passage of time, membership and leadership changes. Today’s executive committee is comprised of co-presidents Ron De Harte (Palm Springs Pride) and Eve Keller (Indy Pride); Secretary Dave Wait (Motor City Pride; and North Carolina’s own Cristal Robinson, from Union County Pride, who serves as the treasurer.
District Representatives include (Eastern) Alan Reiff of New York City Pride and Jayne Walters of Annapolis Pride; (Central) Jonathan Balash of Spencer, Indiana Pride and Mark Liberson of Chicago Pridefest; (Southern) Matt Comer, a Charlotte Pride volunteer and the USAP communications director and Vanessa Rodley of Memphis, Tennessee’s Mid-South Pride; and (Western) Jerry Mai of California’s Silicon Valley Pride and Trevor Harder of Henderson Pride Fest (in Nevada).
In a statement released last month in the USAP newsletter and posted to the USAP website, co-presidents Eve Keller and Ron de Harte shared these thoughts about the upcoming Pride season.
“This year, more than ever, our theme is Collaboration, Communication, and Connection. These pillars are not merely words but the essence of our collective strength. Collaborating together, we have the power to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
“We come together to celebrate Pride, [but] let’s also keep safety, planning, and celebration at the forefront of our minds. Let’s ensure that our events are not only joyful and empowering but also safe spaces where everyone can express themselves authentically without fear of discrimination or harm. Remember, Queer Joy is an act of resistance.”
For more details on the United States Association of Prides is available at https://www.usaprides.org.
