Middletown Pride 2023

 

What's the best way to deal with Pride disruptors? We queer folks celebrate community, love and support throughout June. But pushback is inevitable in this cultural climate. Quid agendum?

At the Transqat booth at Middletown Pride, we were recording as attendees told parts of their story, discussed what Pride meant to them, and more.

As folks strolled past the vendor tables, two disruptors made their separate ways down Main Street. The first was a lone man holding a mic and portable speaker. He maintained a stream of consciousness interpretation of Christian doctrine, with an emphasis on judgement for us Sodomites. 

The second was a group of Black (presumably Baptist) youth, also equipped with mics. They exhibited considerably more passion with their message. Unlike the lone white guy, they gave off a preachers-in-training vibe. Our event was their training ground.

Some attendees began encircling these disruptors and drowning them out. They sang, chanted, blew cheap vuvuzelas bought from the mobile merch vendors. Local clergy from open and affirming churches led the defense, which grew steadily more spirited.

This confrontational strategy did, however, have the effect of keeping the disruptors in stasis: right in front of my makeshift recording studio. After about ten minutes, I approached the disruptor, assured him/them I needed to ask something respectfully, explained that they were interfering with my job, and requested that they move things down the block. Both were civil to my face, but stayed put.

Police were on hand, but were not going to act unless the situation escalated. I asked if they could help move things along, and was told, "No." Crowd control can't be fun for them, and they needed to keep their eyes on the larger picture. Still, we all had to get permits to be there. Why didn't the religious zealots? 

I found myself wondering if the "drown out the bigots" strategy was effective. It did send a clear message that hate had no place at out event. But it also put a spotlight on the disruptors. They got the response they wanted. 

Why does this matter? For one, disrespectful disruptors aren't going anywhere. We should evaluate our actions based on outcomes. Violence isn't the answer. Should we counter the bigots shout for shout? Ignore them? 

Sure enough, less than two weeks later, this Middletown news story hit the airwaves:

The hatred's not going anywhere. What should we do?