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| EQUALITY VIRGINIA |
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| Roanoke Pride Celebrates their 20th Anniversary
Sunday September 20 in Elmwood Park
It was a cool and damp day but it made no difference to the loyal GLBTQ community that banns together each year in search of equality and the hope of finding some comfort in self expression.
The day was full of great activities and entertainers including the MC's that keep the crowd entertained. The children were also entertained by the children's area. The Pride March was as big as ever with signs that included " I am gay and I vote."
Thanks to all that work so very hard to give us this gift each year and thanks to all those who come out and support Roanoke Pride rain or shine.
No need to hide the pride
Roanoke's gay pride event is seeing more and more participants and young people. Roanoke Times
Blessings, Teresa Hoback
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| Roanoke Pride March 2009 |
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| Roanoke Pride March 2009 |
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Rooanke Equality Rally
40th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots
Downtown Roanoke
June 28, 2009
The GLBTQ community all over the world including the United States celebrated the 40 th anniversary of the Stonewall riots this weekend.
History of the Stone Wall Riots
The Stonewall Riots were an outbreak of violent protest against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969. The riots broke out at a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. This is often known as the first time in American history gay and lesbians fought back in response to homosexual persecution. The Stonewall riots marked the start of the modern gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Celebration in Downtown Roanoke Virginia
There was gathering In Elmwood Park that included several speakers. The event had a small to medium crowd. Yet, the enthusiasm and energy generated from the speakers and attendees made this nothing less than a powerful event.
Speakers included:
Frank House
John Edwards, Virginia Senator
Rev.Joe Cobb, MCC
Brenda Hall, NAACP
Rev. Stephen Stanley, Christ Episcopal Church
Favorite Quotes from the speakers:
Frank House:
I feel betrayed by my own country
wrong to read the bible incompletely
Love, equality, and diversity woven
into my own bible
questions the morality of the government
DOMA should be appealed now
Virginia Senator John Edwards:
calls for equality
Obama election proved our image around the world cannot be under estimated
Virginia is changing and Virginia is diverse
I feel Don't ask Don't tell will soon fall by the wayside
the commonwealth has to live up to the standards of Thomas Jefferson
society excepts all of humanity
Brenda Hale, NAACP
no citizen should ever be considered inferior
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| Rise in the name of Love |
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| Brenda Hale, NAACP |
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| John Edwards, Virginia Senator |
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Get to know your community…
Our special guest….. DJ Essika
Question: When and where were you born?
DJ Essika: I was born in Radford; I just had my 28th birthday on July 29th. I have always had the love for music, I remember being a lil girl and hearing a song on the radio and knowing who it was and the name of the song. I still to this day can do that!
Question: How did you get your start as a DJ?
DJ Essika: I got my start last Halloween, I deejayed a party for a friend of mine. I remember looking up at some point in the night and I couldn't see anything but people elbow to elbow it was packed. It was the best feeling in the world that night, my first gig, when I was finally calm and not a nervous wreck, lol. I was then able to play my butt off. When I got the flow of the music going I remember closing my eyes then opening them and seeing everybody dancing to what I was playing. Not one person was sitting that night that I could see. Where I’m going with this is... lol... the feeling that came over me and still does it is better than any drug, the thoughts running through your head is wow I did it they like what I’m playin, I grin and keep doing what I’m doing. Even though I’ve been doing this now for almost a year I still get nervous before I go on.
Question: Tell us one thing you would change about America:
DJ Essika If I could change one thing in America there are so many things but the main one would be to make gay marriage legal in every state.
Question: Tell us more about your work as a DJ
DJ Essika I DJ and KJ at Smokey bones every Tuesday night from 9-1245am
I do private parties also. Wedding, birthdays, etc
when I get more gigs I’ll let you know.
There was talk about doing a club bones at Smokey bones on Friday nights but I’m waiting on the ok from the gm before that happens.
My dream is to dj at the park. I'm hoping one day I’ll have that chance.
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| DJ Essika |
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| DJ Essika |
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