This week I talked with Anna Dubrowski and Sylvain Bruni, co-chairs of InterPride 2012, a conference that celebrated the 30th anniversary of InterPride, the International Association of Pride Organizers, from Oct. 3 through Oct. 7. in Boston, Mass. We discussed this year's conference and issues facing our LGBT community. When asked about their personal commitment to LGBT civil rights, Bruni stated:
I think my commitment is really about not necessarily giving back but really contributing to the level that I can. I think a lot of people are involved in InterPride or in a pride organization because they have some time or some money; they have some dedication; they have some energy they're willing to give to make their community a better, more accepting community overall, whether it is within the LGBT community or outside of it. I think from the point of view of Boston, it is really good for us; things have moved forward really tremendously in the past years. So now it is also time for us to turn outwards and see what we can do to help other people. This is really where I find my energy and my inspiration being part of this, looking at how much we have done here. We've learned a lot; we've been able to amass that knowledge and make things move forward, and now it's what we can do to support others around the world.
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InterPride was created in Boston in 1982 after Pride organizers from Boston, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego and Los Angeles convened to form the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Pride coordinators. InterPride was established to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride on an international level, increase networking and communication among Pride organizations and encourage diverse communities to hold and attend Pride events as an educational resource. InterPride accomplishes its mission with regional conferences and an Annual World Conference (AWC). At the AWC, InterPride members network, attend events and collaborate on an international scale. InterPride strives to create a world where there is full cultural, social and legal equality for all. InterPride hopes to raise awareness of cultural and social inequality through its network of Pride organizations, and to effect positive change through education, collaboration, advocacy and outreach. The InterPride 2012 Conference was hosted by Boston Pride.
For more information on InterPride 2012, visit interpride2012.org.
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