KANSAS CITY GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL HOPS INTO BED WITH MAYOR FUNKY!!!

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and that always turns out to be a mistake.

A few weeks ago, as a favor to some PR dude with a hot wife, I had to listen to Rick Bumgardner blather on about how diverse his event at the P&L District was going to be despite some real criticisms from other activists in the LGBT community . . . All while ignoring the hilarity of a gay dude named Bumgardner.

Anyhoo . . . It's a party so I figured he had a point about the LGBT fest having a "right" to get down and ignore their social conscience for a night.

Real Talk: The issues that the some folks in the African-American community have with the P&L District don't really apply to LGBT folks and I don't expect much solidarity among diverse communities in this town.

But then I hear about Bumgardner & Co. taking handouts from Mayor Funky for their party and that's when I really have to question their scruples. More to the point, it's kind of obvious that they're putting their party and profit above all else.

Let's not forget that during the "Life Changers" Controversy story that TKC broke last year Mayor Funky cast his vote to give funding to a group labeled as homophobic by an overwhelming majority of the local LGBT Community. Overall, Mayor Funky is not a friend to LGBT folks in Kansas City and it's very important to remember that he's taking advice from Jeff Roe -- A dude who is also accused of launching anti-LGBT attacks against his one-time opponent Kay Barnes. Roe's political machine pretty much championed the "San Francisco Values" theme and he is knee deep in the Funkhouser Administration hot mess but still Bumgardner & Co. seem don't show any hesitation because their party is (seemingly) more important than anything else. The points that more socially conscious critics of Pride made now seem more salient than ever.

Without at doubt now I don't feel any qualms about noting that . . .

THIS KANSAS CITY GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKE A DECADENT PARTY WITH NO REAL SOCIAL CONSCIENCE WHATSOEVER!!!

Every political stance they take seems more about promoting their lifestyle and not really standing behind any principles.

The fact that they're grabbing ankle for the Funky Administration is sadly pathetic and, on the opposite end of the spectrum, I can only wonder how Mayor Funky's Conservative supporters feel about the association.

Of course politics makes strange bedfellows but this pairing completely reveals that desperate people have a way of finding each other in the Kansas City political scene.

Check the sellout presser for yourself:

Mayor Funkhouser Helps Announce New Venue for Pride

The Show Will Go On At Riverfront Park

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Port Authority Executive Director Vincent Gauthier and Pride President and Pride Week coordinator, Rick Bumgardner will be on hand for a media conference today, May 21, at 2:30 PM at The Pavilion at Richard L Berkley Riverfront Park.

“When my office learned that Pride was in need of a new venue we immediately got on the phones,” said Mayor Funkhouser. "I am thrilled that Pride and the Port Authority were able to work out this solution. The Kansas City spirit is to help out a neighbor, and this is an excellent example of that spirit in action."

“The Mayor’s Office and Port Authority have been a tremendous help in facilitating a new venue for Pride after Penn Valley Park was ruled out due to recent rains. As a result of their efforts, we are excited to announce our move to Riverfront Park for 2010,” said Pride President, Rick Bumgardner. “When we were scrambling to find a location for our festival – they called us. And for that we are so grateful. It’s going to be a great year for Pride!”

“The Port Authority has a tremendous vision for the riverfront,” said the Port Authority’s Gauthier. “We are enthusiastic about bringing another group down to see all the momentum going on there.”

Kansas City Councilwoman Beth Gottstein also applauded the decision. “Pride is an institution in KC and I hope this year even more people attend the festivities,” said Gottstein.

Pride is a week-long celebration and educational opportunity for the LGBTIQA community. With the theme of “Then. . .Now. . .Forever,” this year’s Pride Festival Week will be held May 31 - June 6, 2010.

################