JERSEY CITY, NJ August 1, 2003 – Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach, Inc. (JCLGO) will be hosting Jersey City’s 3rd Annual LGBTI Pride Festival on Saturday, August 23, 2003 at Exchange Place on the beautiful Waterfront.

For the first time, Jersey City Pride will be an 8-hour event. The event begins at noon with the FESTIVAL MARKET SPACE designed to increase exposure for community groups, food and merchandise vendors, local artists, and businesses. From 2-8 P.M., we will host a roster of guest speakers, entertainment, and our traditional dance party.

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Rainbow Flag, JCLGO is a recipient of a segment of the SEA-TO-SEA RAINBOW25 FLAG--the world's longest rainbow flag. The segment of the displayed flag, provided by RAINBOW25: ALL AROUND THE WORLD and sponsored by Absolut, unites us in a global celebration and acknowledges the flag's powerful impact on the LGBTI community and the culture at large. It is a true symbol of this year's theme "POWER IN PRIDE."

The festival’s theme, “POWER IN PRIDE,” also reflects on how the LGBTI community has come together, particularly with this year’s many political battles - some of which have been won and others on their way to victory. The grass root movement “All Roads to Justice” is a clear example: Jersey City was second in the list of the top 10 communities most represented at the state-wide town hall meetings that informed the public of same-sex marriage equality. At the closing of the Hudson County meeting, which JCLGO co-sponsored, Senator Bernard Kenny said the lawsuit, “benefits the state because it promotes stability, and it promotes the freedom to act accountably in your society. It’s a statement of solidarity with respect to how people live their lives.”

Our rally fully represents the true diversity of the LGBTI community with an engaging show that encompasses the theme "POWER IN PRIDE" in the many forms it can embody. Our keynote speakers are the couples from the lawsuit for marriage equality in the State of New Jersey. Among our list of guest speakers are Laquetta Nelson (founding member of the Newark Pride Alliance).

At 4:00 PM, we will hold a Moment of Silence in remembrance of the millions who have died from AIDS or from complications associated with HIV. This year, we will also reflect on the life of Sakia Gunn, the fifteen-year-old girl who was brutally murdered in Newark on May 11, 2003 because she identified herself as a lesbian. As we look across the river, we will also remember those who were lost on September 11, 2001. Our Silence is for a moment, our fight is for life.

This year’s performances “capture all the different fabrics of our community, coming together on one stage to make up one fabulous show,” says Catherine Hecht, Senior Co-Chair of JCLGO. Our show will be hosted by three diverse talents: WALT BORACZEK, Jersey City native and New York City cabaret favorite; JADE ESTEBAN ESTRADA with his high energy, dance-oriented act; and RICHARD SKIPPER with his impersonation of stage legend Carol Channing. Classically trained vocalist Janine Alondres returns to sing the National Anthem.

Our roster of talent will encompass the edgy, driving rhythms of bands like BELLA AND THE BOTTOM FEEDERS and SISTER FUNK, to the thought provoking lyrics and vocals of bands and solo performers like BLACK LIGHT BLUE, DAVID CLEMENT, TRACEY STARK, KIM CHAR MEREDITH, and TERRY CHRISTOPHER, as well as pop singer SHIRLEY ACOSTA, and cabaret favorite MICHAEL VACCARO.

“People who are active in their community develop a sense of ownership in their own destiny, ”says Kris Landherr, the Entertainment Committee Chair, who strived to present a show, not merely to entertain, but also to inspire.

For added pep and atmosphere, CHEER NY will be rousing the crowd with their spirit and gymnastic talent. The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus will be pleasing the audience with their choral repertoire. KEITH PRICE will keep us laughing with his special brand of queer-Latino humor.

The drag community will be amply represented by the gender bending theatrics of local legend LARITZA DUMONT; Ashley Blake, MISS GAY NEW JERSEY and YOLANDA, the self-styled transgender warrior.

A two-hour dance party will follow all of this. Working the turntables will be DJ MIKE CRUZ, one of the metro areas hottest, hardest working spinners. The after-party will be held at Albert’s nightclub, located at 366 Marin Blvd. at 1st Street.

JCLGO, an all volunteer, Jersey City-based community organization, continues to reach out, support and unite those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexed. We are a vital voice in Jersey City committed to bringing the LGBTI community together.

Sponsors: Jersey City Cultural Affairs & the City of Jersey City, Fleet Bank, ID Lube, Proudwear, Baker Boys Café, Next Magazine, Out In Jersey, Coors, and H2 Homo.

JCLGO can be reached at info@jclgo.org or 201-333-5725.

Entertainment List

Photos from the 2003 Jersey City Pride Festival