It was pretty smooth sailing for the news media covering the LA PRIDE weekend celebrations at the Christopher Street West festival grounds "compound" - until Sunday night - that is!
A few reporters were on the high-security site adjacent to the WeHo Public Library (off Robertson Boulevard) covering events all afternoon - but made the mistake of exiting the grounds to chow down on the strip - before returning later after to finish up their assignments.
When one reporter attempted to glide through the media check-in after the dinner-hour, a huffy black woman in the employ of Christopher Street West began harassing the man.
"But, I was on the festival grounds all afternoon," he politely informed the homely gal, as he pointed to his press badge hanging around his neck.
"I doubt that very much, " she hissed at him.
Imagine that!
She was essentially calling the media person a liar!
"I have the video footage to prove it," he casually uttered up.
At this point, the power-mad handler was suddenly speechless.
Uh-huh!
Talk about egg on the face!!!
It was obvious that the loud-mouthed loser was not only an idiot, but had all the intelligence (and personality) of a worm.
At this point, she waved over a gentleman who was in charge of the shift at the media desk.
When the reporter explained the situation once again, the sober-faced staffer finally waved the reporter in.
At least he had the good sense not to step in the other employee's "shit".
But, he did act a bit like a dismissive Queen, however.
You know the type!
From where I stood, I thought the individual was entitled to an apology, free drinks on the house, or at least something to ease his pain.
Nothing!
No one attempted to smooth over the waters - least of all fess up to the fact that the shocking conduct of the Christopher Street West staff was - not only inexcusable - but unacceptable.
It was pretty obvious at this juncture that the organization is a rinky-dink unprofessional outfit.
A joke, in fact.
Typical, though, of unsophisticated uneducated types with no class or manners to speak of.
Yup.
Gays - and the organizations that represent them - often make so many demands on the media (and politicians, too).
The truth of the matter?
When they learn to give respect, they'll get respect back, folks!
Actually, Christopher Street West employees treated the media like garbage the whole weekend.
For example, there wasn't any press tent, no refreshments offered up (in spite of the sweltering heat the crews had to endure for two days in the hot mid-day sun) or even an electrical outlet provided so reporters could recharge their video equipment, cell phones, or whatever.
And, of course, not even a - "thank you very much" - for the media coverge and free publicity!
So, I trekked across the street to Pavilions, and plugged in at their cafe.
My video camera recharged as I snacked on a light supper by the way.
Which triggers my thoughts on another issue.
At the Christopher Street West fair grounds people had to cough up to $20.00 a shot to get in the gate and what did they have to endure?
They had lay out $5.00 for a small plastic (!) glass of draft beer and upwards of $8 - $10 for a small plate of rice and few tidbits of poorly-grilled tasteless chicken.
You would have to be a couple with two "male" salaries to be able to pay for the privilege to attend their gay get-together in the chi chi fenced in grounds that they were touting as the best party in town.
On the contrary!
On Santa Monica Boulevard revelers were having a lot more fun taking in the festive colorful parade curbside gratis, where they were able to bar-hop and cruise all the hot numbers in attendance, while they tossed back exotic cocktails more reasonably-priced (and larger in volume) at the local bars and nightclubs.
I couldn't help but reason that the Christopher Street West party was just a big rip-off to the gay & lesbian community (run by a posse of tired old Queens trying to get a stranglehold on the community).
Needless to say, it is doubtful I'll be giving those losers much coverage in the future, you betcha.
Next year, the City of West Hollywood should toss the assholes out on the street, and run the whole shebang themselves.
The WeHo gay community would be a lot better off!
Amen!
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