Is it time to start naming regional editions of Pridegate? This year’s original pride scandal went down in San Diego, where board members of San Diego Pride stood accused of handing out cash reward to the board’s president, violating its own rules in doing so. Now there’s Pridegate: Fort Lauderdale edition, with news that Pride South Florida’s now-former treasurer Mike Cruz (pictured) stands accused of “misappropriating” funds, to the tune of $40,000. Of course, “misappropriating” might just mean “stealing,” but we’ll let the FLPD figure that one out. [SFGN]
ousslander
damn thieving money grubbers, must be republicans
Revco
It must be the same everywhere. The Twin Cities Pride organization (Minneapolis) has a long history of “misappropriation” and outright larceny.
Fitz
Lots o’ money and someone who has the time to manage a pride event: prime opportunity for a little dipping.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
We don’t talk enough about the Horizontal Violence within our own population (community is laughable!) Maybe these events need to be stripped down to Police Permits and whoever sells beer and soda from the back of a pick-up truck! Just folks on foot with signs, co-mingling! Sounds hot to strip it back to “We, The Gay People” where leaders of political organizations bring their own soap box (Milk crate?) and mega-horns.
As a rule, I only give money to:
* AIDS Research (not programs!)
* Actual pro-gay candidates (never Republicans!)
* Gay-friendly business (but not necessarily gay*)
* A Gay Political group only if they are voting on Endorsements
* Tipping Gays more and supporting Struggling Artists
* Countries with Gay-friendly laws (though nowhere is perfect except maybe Holland)and Gay-friendly cities like SF, DC, PDX, Montreal, Amsterdam and Paris (and staying in Manhattan!)
* Buying Local and supporting Progressive causes as an Out Gay Progressive
*The worst boss I ever had was Gay and the nicest was a conservative Catholic so Go Figure!
Daniel
They should be for-profit events put on by businesses; many are just grandiose parties anyway. Just sell tickets and donate some proceeds to a good GLBT charity. Nonprofits have a hard enough time raising funds for putting on pride and getting volunteers.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
A previous March on Washington was robbed by someone collecting donations in buckets at the event. Why have tickets? Why have it be for a charity? Run it co-operatively instead of a board of directors.